Tag Archives: Verses and Prayers

Jesus is the Sacrifice of Love You Need

When fear and doubt overwhelm us, we can turn to God's Word and pray . . . trusting His promise that Jesus is the sacrifice of love now and for all eternity. #Jesus #Prayer #God'sPromises #JesusSacrifice #CountingMyBlessings #WWGGG

Have you ever doubted God’s love or His willingness to care for you?

Maybe you had a heart’s desire prayer that He didn’t answer as you’d hoped. Maybe one of His followers broke your heart or betrayed you and you blamed God. Maybe life’s circumstances have you in a pit of despair and you feel hopeless.

Jesus is God’s answer of LOVE to all of our doubts and pain.

John wrote:

God is love!

1 John 4:8

He is holy, just, and perfect, and even when we don’t understand His ways we can always trust His heart!

How do we know?

JESUS!

God showed how much He loved us by sending His one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through Him.

1 John 4:9

Jesus said:

Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! 

John 14:9

Jesus showed us God’s justice, righteousness, care, and compassion. Jesus showed us God’s LOVE.

Because He is God! He is the Word made flesh!

Jesus is the Light in the darkness to show us the way, the Bread of Life to feed our spiritual hunger, the Vine to give us the nutrition we need to be fruitful, and the Sacrifice of Love we need to pay the penalty for all our sins once and for always.

So today, I’m going to God with thanks and praise for His love and for all He has given us in and through Jesus. And I’m surrendering all doubt and pain to Him. I’m thanking Him for…

Jesus the Sacrifice of Love You Need

When fear and doubt overwhelm us, we can turn to God's Word and pray to trust His promise that Jesus is the sacrifice of love now and for all eternity. #Jesus #Prayer #God'sPromises #JesusSacrifice #CountingMyBlessings #WWGGG

Light of the World

Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”

John 8:12

Lord, thank you for being the LIGHT! The darkness of sin and evil can feel like a heavy burden but You are the light that overcame and continues to faithfully overcome that darkness. Your gift of forgiveness overcomes the darkness within us and replaces it with the glow of Your love. You light our path and help us trust Your will and follow Your ways. You provide, protect, and lead us with grace and mercy! I thank and praise You! Help me live in ways that reflect Your light and give You glory!

Bread of Life

The true bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

“Sir,” they said, “give us that bread every day.”

Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again.

John 6:33–35a

Lord Jesus, You satisfy the emptiness within me. You satisfy my spiritual hunger and sustain me with life-giving nourishment. Lord forgive me for failing to pause each day to spend time in Your Word and prayer. May I faithfully spend time with You each day that You might fill me with the truth and counsel I need to trust and obey Your perfect will. You are the Giver of Life may I forever make You the center of my life.

The Vine

“Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”

John 15:1

Father, this is my prayer! With all my heart, I pray to remain connected to Jesus, the Vine. My heart’s desire is to produce fruit that will glorify You. I know the truth of the words, “apart from me you can do nothing.” Please forgive me. By Your grace, please help me grow in faith and in knowledge of Your truth. Please fill me to overflowing with Your Spirit that I might share Your blessings of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and gentleness. Your grace is sufficient. Thanks and praise now and forever.

Sacrifice of Love

God showed how much He loved us by sending His one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through Him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.

1 John 4:9–10

Father, Your love overwhelms me. You provide everything I need today and forever. You gave Jesus.

Thank you for allowing us to know You through Him. Thank you for saving us through His sacrifice. Thank you for showing us the truth of Your perfect love.

Your Word says that because Jesus is the sacrifice for sin, the only sacrifice You want from Your children is a broken and repentant heart. (Psalm 51:17) You want us to humbly turn to You in repentance admitting that we are unable to save ourselves and acknowledging out need for Jesus.

So, I come to You once again to ask You to forgive me and to thank you for promising that through Jesus I am forever Yours.

The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent His own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body, God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving His Son as a sacrifice for our sins.

Romans 8:3

Father God, no matter how hard I try or how badly I want it . . . I can never earn Your grace and mercy. I cannot save myself. Yet, You freely give Your grace and mercy. You graciously pour undeserved blessings into my life and mercifully spare me from the punishment I deserve. Rather than making me pay the price for my own sin . . . You sent Your Son to save me. And then, You ended the reign of sin’s control in my life. You give me Your Spirit to give me courage, strength, and power. Your Son continues to sit at Your right hand to plead for me.

I praise You! And I surrender myself to You. I trust Your promises and rest in Your love. By Your grace, help me live each moment of my life for Your glory. In the name of Jesus, who is the Sacrifice and the source of my faith. Amen.

When fear and doubt overwhelm us, we can turn to God's Word and pray . . . trusting His promise that Jesus is the sacrifice of love now and for all eternity. #Jesus #Prayer #God'sPromises #JesusSacrifice #CountingMyBlessings #WWGGG

Jesus is the Sacrifice of Love

Friend, whatever concerns you today, whatever your doubts . . . give it all to the Lord. He gave His all for you and me. He is the Sacrifice who saves us, the Light to guide us, the Bread of Life to nourish us, and the Vine to give us everything we need to live for God’s glory.

May you be blessed today and enjoy the peace of His grace, mercy, and love.

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

Take a moment to subscribe to Counting My Blessings and join more than 7500 of us as we read the New Testament together. We will share short posts every Monday through Friday that you can read each day or save for the weekend. Let’s study God’s Word together!

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No matter what a busy week may throw your way, God is with you in every moment. Take a breath and find peace in Him with the 52-Week Devotional Journal for Women, a weekly devotional full of Scripture passages, unique insights, and journal prompts. Strengthen and deepen your relationship with God as you focus on faith over the course of the year.
Get your copy here!

Check out our new Facebook Page/Group – #WWGGG – What Would Give God Glory. We’d love for you to join the movement!

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I’m asking God to bless you today!

Praising God for Jesus – He is the Savior of the World

Verses and prayers that thank God for Jesus, the Savior of the World. The One who is the Lamb of God, who saves and delivers all who come to Him in faith. #Prayers #Christmas #Advent #Faith #Jesus #HopeoftheWorld #CountingMyBlessings #WWGGG

I wonder if it isn’t hard for people to admit their need for a Savior.

We are taught from little on to be self-sufficient . . . to find ways to fix what’s wrong and succeed on our own. We are always on the look for ways to supply and satisfy ourselves.

How often do you hear someone somewhere “preaching” about your need to “save” the planet, “save” the country, or “save” the whales, seals, puppies, or __________ (you can fill in the blank)?

Or your need to “do what makes you happy.”

A “savior” is defined as someone one who:

  • saves from harm, danger, destruction, or loss
  • saves, rescues, or delivers
  • brings salvation

And because we are sinners . . . we need a Savior. We just CAN’T save ourselves no matter how good we are or how hard we try. You and I can not, on our own, ever meet God’s perfect standards.

Paul wrote in his letter to the Romans:

The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 6:23

And he said to the people of Antioch:

Brothers, listen! We are here to proclaim that through this man Jesus there is forgiveness for your sins. Everyone who believes in Him is made right in God’s sight—something the law of Moses could never do.

Acts 13:38–39

Through Jesus, there is forgiveness. Through Jesus, God no longer sees our sins . . . He sees the perfect holy covering of our Savior, Jesus.

So, you and I can stop trying to climb out of the pits of our own making but instead we can surrender ourselves and take hold of the hand of the Messiah reaching down to us and pulling us safely to a future of faith, hope, and love.

[The Lord] lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what He has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord.

Psalm 40:2a,3

Will you join me today as I praise God for Jesus our Savior Messiah, our Deliverer – the Lamb of God?

Praising God for Jesus – He is the Savior of the World

Verses and prayers that thank God for Jesus, the Savior of the World. The One who is the Lamb of God, who saves and delivers all who come to Him in faith. #Prayers #Christmas #Advent #Faith #Jesus #HopeoftheWorld #CountingMyBlessings

Jesus the Savior

It was His plan from before the beginning of time—to show us His grace through Christ Jesus. And now He has made all of this plain to us by the appearing of Christ Jesus, our Savior. He broke the power of death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the Good News.

2 Timothy 1:9–10

Father, It overwhelms me to think that You knew we would fall short of living up to Your glorious standard (Romans 3:23) and yet, You still created us and gave us free-will. Because You had a loving plan to save us from our own self-destruction all along.

We don’t deserve to be saved but You freely offer us Your grace, mercy, and love in the person of Jesus that we might be forgiven and blessed with a beautiful life that lasts forever. Thank you for breaking the power of death for us. Thank you for Jesus, our Savior.

Lamb of God

For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. 

1 Peter 1:18–19

Father, how can I begin to thank you. You sacrificed Yourself, Your one and only Son, to pay the price for my flaws and failures. You could have continued to require sacrifices and rule following but instead You paid the ultimate sacrifice once for all and for always.

Please help me SEEK You and Your Kingdom faithfully. Help me LOVE You with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. And by Your grace, help me TRUST and OBEY You with all I am every day of my life.

They will never again be hungry or thirsty; they will never be scorched by the heat of the sun. For the Lamb on the throne will be their Shepherd. He will lead them to springs of life-giving water. And God will wipe every tear from their eyes.”

Revelations 7:16–17

Lord, I can’t imagine . . . no hunger or thirst, no tears or pain. A forever home where every need is more than met, and every moment is filled with LIFE! No more sin for all our sins have been forgiven and replaced with holiness.

Thank you for allowing me to carry the burdens of this life to You, trusting that You will guide me and care for me in perfect love. By Your grace, please help me to be still in Your presence trusting that with You I can pause from my problems and rest in Your peace.

Our Deliverer

Praise the Lord; praise God our Savior!
    For each day He carries us in His arms. 
Our God is a God who saves!
    The Sovereign Lord [delivers] us from death.

Psalm 68:19–20

Father, I praise You! Jesus, I praise You! Spirit, I praise You! You, Lord, are my deliverer. You are the God who saves and delivers me. When I am overwhelmed by failures that hurt me . . . my own or someone else’s, You are the One who carries me giving me the strength I need to face each moment. When I think of all the ways You have held me and protected me in the past, I have the faith I need for today and the hope I need for tomorrow. I have no need to fear anything, even death, because You promise to be with me and bring me safely to the perfect place You are preparing for me.

They speak of how you are looking forward to the coming of God’s Son from heaven—Jesus, whom God raised from the dead. He is the one who has [delivered] us from the terrors of the coming judgment.

1 Thessalonians 1:10

No more fear because You, Lord, have delivered us from sin, death, and the power of the devil. Through problems or persecution, we can anticipate Your glorious return. You promise that You, our Deliverer, are coming again soon . . . and I join Your people in praying, “Amen, come Lord Jesus.” (Revelation 22:20) You are our eternal hope and promise! I love You and surrender my life today and forever to Your loving care.

Messiah

The disciples saw Jesus do many other miraculous signs in addition to the ones recorded in this book. But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in Him you will have life by the power of His name.

John 20:30–31

Father, this may be one of my favorite verses in Scripture. John walked with Jesus throughout His ministry and death, and he spent time with Him following His resurrection. By Your grace, You inspired him to write an account of grace, hope, love, and life.

I believe that Jesus is Your Son and my Savior. I believe that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. I believe that through believing in Him, I will live with You forever. Please help me by the power of Your Spirit to trust and obey You in all I do and say.

You are my refuge and my shield; your word is my source of hope. ( Psalm 119:114) I thank and praise You now and forever. Amen.

Verses and prayers that thank God for Jesus, the Savior of the World. The One who is the Lamb of God, who saves and delivers all who come to Him in faith. #Prayers #Christmas #Advent #Faith #Jesus #HopeoftheWorld #CountingMyBlessings #WWGGG

Jesus, the Savior. The Lamb of God, Our Messiah . . . the One who Deliverers Us

He is the One who rescued us by becoming the perfect Lamb of God. Why? Because that’s how much He loves us.

So, pause today and look in the mirror and see the Lord who loves you and promises to be with you and give you everything you need when you offer your life to Him in faith.

So, repeat the following until it fills your soul . . .

“My Father loves me! He really loves me! I have everything I need!”

God bless you!

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

Take a moment to subscribe to Counting My Blessings and join more than 7500 of us as we read the New Testament together. We will share short posts every Monday through Friday that you can read each day or save for the weekend. Let’s study God’s Word together!

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I’m so excited to tell you about my new book!

No matter what a busy week may throw your way, God is with you in every moment. Take a breath and find peace in Him with the 52-Week Devotional Journal for Women, a weekly devotional full of Scripture passages, unique insights, and journal prompts. Strengthen and deepen your relationship with God as you focus on faith over the course of the year.
Get your copy here!

Check out our new Facebook Page/Group – #WWGGG – What Would Give God Glory. We’d love for you to join the movement!

And always remember – I LOVE hearing from you! So, please take a minute to say ‘hi’ by leaving a comment. 

If this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Send it to a friend, family member, coworker, or share it through the links below…

I’m asking God to bless you today!

Praise God – Jesus is the Great I AM of the World

Thanking and praising God for giving us the truth we need in and through Jesus, the Good Shepherd, the Alpha and Omega, the Messiah, the Great I AM. #greatIAM #Jesus #Faith #Prayer #BibleStudy #CountingMyBlessings #WWGGG

I hate chaos and confusion. So, I have to admit this has been a hard year for me. It’s been a time when mixed messages have been used to mislead and manipulate . . . and I have found myself feeling discouraged and disheartened.

The source of chaos and confusion is the enemy of our souls.

Jesus said…

When he [the devil] lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.

John 8:44

Jesus referred to Himself as “the Way, the Truth, and the Life.”

When Pilate asked Jesus if He was a king. He replied…

“You say I am a king. Actually, I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true.”

John 18:37

And He prayed…

Make them holy by Your truth; teach them Your word, which is truth.

John 17:17

And Paul wrote to Timothy…

Remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true…

2 Timothy 3:14–16a

That’s why I love reading Scripture. It teaches me what is true. And from beginning to end the truth of Scripture points to Jesus, the Messiah – our Lord and Savior.

I’m praying the TRUTH about Jesus . . . the One who sets us free and gives us the strength to follow anywhere He leads. The One who has always been and will be forever. The Great “I AM” Lord of all creation.

Will you join me as I offer a prayer of thanks and praise?

Praise God – Jesus is
the Great I AM of the World

Thanking and praising God for giving us the truth we need in and through Jesus, the Good Shepherd, the Alpha and Omega, the Messiah, the Great I AM. #greatIAM #Jesus #Faith #Prayer #BibleStudy #CountingMyBlessings #WWGGG

The One Who Sets Us Free

Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin. A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever. So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.

John 8:34–36

Father, thank you for Jesus, the One who set me free by breaking the power of sin, death, and the influence of the enemy’s lies. You said through the prophet Isaiah, “I, the Lord, made you, and I will not forget you. I have swept away your sins like a cloud. I have scattered your offenses like the morning mist. Oh, return to me, for I have paid the price to set you free.” (Isaiah 44:22b–23) Jesus suffered my punishment and paid the price to set me free so I might become the person You created me to be.

Please help me keep my heart and mind focused on Jesus, whose life, death, and resurrection makes it possible for me to be a forever member of Your family. I am overwhelmed by Your love, Jesus’ love, and the Holy Spirit’s loving presence, guidance, and help. Thank you!

The Good Shepherd

The Lord is my shepherd;
    I have all that I need.
He lets me rest in green meadows;
    he leads me beside peaceful streams.
He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
    bringing honor to His name.

Psalm 23:1–3

Lord, thank you for being my Shepherd . . . for supplying everything I need. Thank you for giving me peace and strength when life feels overwhelming. Thank you for guiding me along a life path that You have planned for my good and Your glory. Please help me focus on You and follow You wherever You lead me with a joy-filled grateful heart.

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices His life for the sheep. 

John 10:11

Lord Jesus, how awesome Your love is. You willingly gave Your life to save mine. You watch over me. You would even “leave the ninety-nine others on the hills [to] go out to search for the one that is lost?” (Matthew 18:12) You searched for me! Thank you! By Your grace, may I trust and obey You in all I do and say. May I focus my heart and mind on Your truth, trusting You to give me everything I need each day.

The Alpha and Omega

Grace and peace to you from the One who is and was and is coming, and from the seven spirits before His throne, and from Jesus Christ. Jesus is the faithful witness, the first among those raised from the dead. He is the ruler of the kings of the earth.

The Lord God says, “I am the Alpha and the Omega. I am the One who is and was and is coming. I am the Almighty.”

Revelations 1:4–5,8

Lord, You are the Alpha and Omega. I have always loved this promise. Each time I read it or the Spirit brings it to mind I am flooded with peace. What a beautiful thing it is to know You have always been and You always will be. You were El Shaddai before creation, You have been Almighty God throughout all of history, You are all-powerful in every present situation, and You will reign as God Almighty forever and always.

“Listen! I am coming soon! 

I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.

Revelation 22:12a,13

Lord Jesus, please give me everything I need each day to be fully prepared for Your return. My heart’s desire is to “seek first” You and Your Kingdom, to trust and obey You in all things, and to love You with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength.

It overwhelms me that through faith, by grace, I am promised a glorious future with You that lasts for all eternity. You are my Lord and Savior. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

The Great “I AM”

The woman said, “I know the Messiah is coming—the one who is called Christ. When He comes, He will explain everything to us.”

Then Jesus told her, “I AM the Messiah!”

John 4:25–26

Father, thank you for sending Jesus, the Messiah, to save us. He is my Savior who left the glory of heaven to live the perfect life I am unable to live, to suffer the punishment I deserve and give me an eternal future I don’t. Jesus came to save me . . . like the woman here, He meets me at my well of failures and offers me grace and mercy. I thank and praise You for loving me and giving me what my soul needs most.

Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I AM!” 

John 8:58

Father, thank you for Jesus, the Word made flesh who came to make His home among us. (John 1:1, 14) Jesus made it possible for us to see You, Father. (John 14:9) He showed us Your care and compassion. He proclaimed the future full of purpose and hope You want for us. He showed us Your love.

Today, I surrender my life to You. Please help me be a living witness of Your grace, mercy, and love. Please help me love like Jesus and live every moment of my life for Your glory. Amen.

Thanking and praising God for giving us the truth we need in and through Jesus, the Good Shepherd, the Alpha and Omega, the Messiah, the Great I AM. #greatIAM #Jesus #Faith #Prayer #BibleStudy #CountingMyBlessings #WWGGG

If, like me, you’re struggling with the world’s message that feels both chaotic and confusing . . . join me in turning your focus from the noise of mixed messages to the Word of Truth, the Word made flesh, the Great I AM.

Because of His great love for you and me, He came to set us free from sin and its consequences. He came to show us God, the Father, and tell us that He is the Messiah, the Great I AM, to make it possible for us to have an eternal future with Him in heaven.

He is our source of peace today and hope for the future. So, pause often today to thank God for His gracious and awesome gift of love.

God be with you and bless you!

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

Take a moment to subscribe to Counting My Blessings and join more than 7500 of us as we read the New Testament together. We will share short posts every Monday through Friday that you can read each day or save for the weekend. Let’s study God’s Word together!

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I’m so excited to tell you about my new book!

No matter what a busy week may throw your way, God is with you in every moment. Take a breath and find peace in Him with the 52-Week Devotional Journal for Women, a weekly devotional full of Scripture passages, unique insights, and journal prompts. Strengthen and deepen your relationship with God as you focus on faith over the course of the year.
Get your copy here!

Check out our new Facebook Page/Group – #WWGGG – What Would Give God Glory. We’d love for you to join the movement!

And always remember – I LOVE hearing from you! So, please take a minute to say ‘hi’ by leaving a comment. 

If this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Send it to a friend, family member, coworker, or share it through the links below…

I’m asking God to bless you today!

A Prayer to Be United by the Truth

Imagine the difference followers of Jesus could make if they were all united in their beliefs and lived like they believed the Bible is God's Word of Truth. #BibleStudy #Truth #God'sWord #Faith #Prayer #CountingMyBlessings #WWGGG

Not long ago as I was scrolling through Pinterest notifications, I noticed a comment critical of the 35,000 Christian sects and denominations.

I don’t know if the commenter had the facts right or not but I do know there are plenty of things about which self-proclaimed Christians disagree. You and I can see evidence of that all over social media. . . and unfortunately, so can everyone else.

Can you imagine the difference believers could make and the influence we could have if we were united and lived like we truly believed….

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 

2 Timothy 3:!6

And…

Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet’s own understanding, or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God.

2 Peter 1:20–21

What if we truly believed that the Bible is God’s Word intentionally written that we might personally know Him?

What if we lived our lives and made our decisions based on the truth of our relationship with the Triune God as He has revealed Himself through the pages of Scripture?

What if we believed..?

God is not a man, so He does not lie. He is not human, so He does not change His mind.
Has He ever spoken and failed to act? Has He ever promised and not carried it through?

Numbers 23:19

And…

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Hebrews 13:8

The Word of God is not evolving. It applies to all generations.

God commanded His people to be united to one another and faithful to Him. Can you imagine the difference His children could make if we all united around the truth of God’s Word?

We are about to vote in one of the most important elections of our time and sadly we often appear more divided than ever.

But although we seem to be divided by politics and perspectives, I’m pausing today to ask God to unite us through His truth “that the world will know.”


Make them holy by Your truth; teach them Your word, which is truth. 

I am in them and You are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that You sent me and that You love them as much as You love me.

John 17:17, 23

You and I will never change hearts and minds with our platitudes and pontifications but we can love one another and we can point people to the One who is offering them a way that is greater than any government can ever promise them.

I believe if we are willing to humble ourselves, repent of our sins, and ask God to fill us with His Spirit and to unite through His truth amazing things will happen.

Will you pray with me?

A Prayer to Be United by the Truth

Imagine the difference followers of Jesus could make if they were all united in their beliefs and lived like they believed the Bible is God's Word of Truth. #BibleStudy #Truth #God'sWord #Faith #Prayer #CountingMyBlessings #WWGGG

The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight for living.

Psalm 19:7–8

Father, Jesus prayed, “Make them holy by Your truth; teach them Your word, which is truth.” (John 17:17) Please help us!

Forgive us for listening to the lies of the world. Messages that twist and distort the words of Scripture to push a selfish agenda. Forgive us for picking and choosing the commandments we deem important while undermining and ignoring the ones we don’t.

Your Word is truth! Your commands are right and bring joy because they are intended to protect us and keep us safe.

Please unite us through Your Word and by the power of Your Spirit. May our church leaders prayerfully lead us without personal or political intentions. Heal us. Guide us. Unite us in Jesus.

Let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom He gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.

Colossians 3:15–17

Father, we need Jesus to rule in our hearts! Please unite us through His love and help us live in peace with one another. Please keep us free of distractions that make us prideful and divide us. Please give us the wisdom we need to know and follow the paths of truth. Please help us discern Your will for us in every area of our lives.

By Your grace, help us love You completely with all our hearts, minds, souls, and strength. Help us love our neighbors as we love ourselves. Give us thankful hearts and strengthen us to live as Your representatives that the world may know Your truth and follow Jesus.

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Ephesians 4:31–32

Father, please help us to be consistently forgiving and kind one another. Thank you for forgiving us through Christ Jesus. We can be selfish and prideful, bitter and judgmental. Yet, You promise when we come to You in faith with repentance, You are faithful to forive. Please help us to be tenderhearted and compassionate with one another . . . even those with whom we disagree.

Please unite us through Your love that the world might see You in us and want the blessing of Your transforming mercy and grace.

“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

John 13:34–35

Father, I want to make a difference. I want to love people the way You command. I want to extend forgiveness to others the way You have so graciously forgiven me. I want people to see the difference Jesus’ love makes in my life. I pray that the world will want to know and love You because of the “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22–23a) they see in Your followers.

“I pray that they will all be one, just as You and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in You. And may they be in us so that the world will believe You sent me. I have given them the glory You gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and You are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that You sent me and that You love them as much as You love me.”John 17:21–23

John 17:21–23

Father, I love Jesus’ prayer. It always blesses me to read these words from His heart.

Please help us focus on the truth of Your Word. Help us love You completely. Help us surrender our lives to Your will and faithfully follow Your commands. Help us “be still” and rest with You in prayer.

Please keep us from arguing over foolish divisive things of this world and help us focus on the things that are precious and important to You. Please unite us and help us show the “world” that You love them so much You sacrificed Your Son to give them LIFE FOREVER. I pray this in the name of Your Son and our Savior, Jesus. Amen.

Imagine the difference followers of Jesus could make if they were all united in their beliefs and lived like they believed the Bible is God's Word of Truth. #BibleStudy #Truth #God'sWord #Faith #Prayer #CountingMyBlessings #WWGGG

Friend, can you imagine the difference we could make if we built our lives on God’s Word as it is found in the Bible and together celebrated the unity and hope we have in Jesus?

Will you join me in praying for God’s people to turn their hearts and minds to the Lord and that by His grace they will all be united by the truth of His Word for His glory and the benefit of those who don’t yet know and love Him?

God bless you!

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

Take a moment to subscribe to Counting My Blessings and join more than 7500 of us as we read the New Testament together. We will share short posts every Monday through Friday that you can read each day or save for the weekend. Let’s study God’s Word together!

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No matter what a busy week may throw your way, God is with you in every moment. Take a breath and find peace in Him with the 52-Week Devotional Journal for Women, a weekly devotional full of Scripture passages, unique insights, and journal prompts. Strengthen and deepen your relationship with God as you focus on faith over the course of the year.
Get your copy here!

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Pray When You Need to be Confident You Know the Truth

Taking our questions and confusion to God in prayer asking Him to help us be confident we know the truth, that we can trust His promises and rest in His love. #BibleStudy #Hope #Prayer #BibleQuotes #CountingMyBlessings #WWGGG

How is it possible for a group of people to attend the very same event or hear the very same message and share completely different accounts of what they saw or heard?

How can something be the truth one day but the exact opposite be cited as truth the next?

I have absolutely no patience with twisting the truth for the purpose of controlling or manipulating others.

So, as you might imagine, this year of mixed messages hasn’t been easy for me and I’m guessing that some of you are finding it more than a little challenging as well.

That’s why I’ve found it important to take my questions and confusion to God in prayer. You see, years ago I experienced a situation where I was getting many varied and contradictory information that left me feeling confused, frustrated, and painfully aware that I had no idea who or what to believe.

But I was certain of one very important truth.

I knew the One who always knows the truth.

You and I can turn our confusion over to Him.

So, when we don’t understand and we’re getting mixed messages, we can take our feelings and frustrations to God in prayer. We can honestly tell Him we’re confused and confess our frustrations and doubts. And then we can humbly express our desire to know the truth.

When I’ve found myself lifting these prayers, I’ve also expressed my faith to the Father that I believe His Spirit is able to give me what I need to handle the truth whatever it is but I also understand that if He chooses to never reveal the truth to me . . . He will give me the strength and peace I need to handle that as well. Finally, I ask Him to give me everything I need to simply live with faith and rely on Him.

And you and I can simply live with faith relying on Him because the Good News is our Heavenly Father has given us access to the only absolute TRUTH we really need.

He has given us the truth in Jesus…

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. 

John 14:6

And He has given us the truth through the Holy Spirit…

When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on His own but will tell you what He has heard. He will tell you about the future. 

John 16:13

You and I have what we need to be confident we know the most important truth of our lives . . . God has spoken to us in and through the Word made flesh and He has given us His Spirit to help us understand the words of Scripture.

So today, in the midst of all of life’s mixed messages, chaos, and confusion, I’m turning to God in prayer and I’m asking Him to help me focus my heart and mind on the only truth that really matters. The truth that holds the power of life and death. The truth that is unchanging and lasts forever.

Pray When You Need to be Confident You Know the Truth

Taking our questions and confusion to God in prayer asking Him to help us be confident we know the truth, that we can trust His promises and rest in His love. #BibleStudy #Hope #Prayer #BibleQuotes #CountingMyBlessings #WWGGG

Jesus said to the people who believed in Him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

John 8:31–32

Lord, I believe. Please help me when I doubt. Help me when the world confuses me with messages I don’t understand. May I remember that I can always turn to You. I have Your inspired Word and Spirit to guide me with Your truth and promises.

Thank you for freeing me from the enemy’s power. Thank you for freeing me to love and trust You and for giving me the strength I need to love others even when it’s hard.

By Your grace, please strengthen me by the power of Your Spirit to be confident of Your truth . . . to hold fast to Your promises, follow where You lead, and obey Your commands. I love You, Lord. Amen.

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and He will give you everything you need.

Luke 12:31

Father God, You are Lord of all, I pray that I might give you control of all I think, do, and say. I pray, with Your help, to surrender every part of myself to Your truth and Your will.

I trust Your promise to give me everything I need. You are loving and faithful to forgive. (1 John 1:9) You give me courage and strength when life is hard. (Psalm 29:11) You are the peace that passes understanding. (Philippians 4:7) And You are my hope and my eternal promise. (Romans 15:4)

Thank you, Lord. My heart’s desire is to SEEK You and Your kingdom above all else every day for the rest of my life. You are the TRUTH I need now and forever.

Let your roots grow down into Him, and let your lives be built on Him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.

Colossians 2:7

Father, may every part of my life be rooted in Jesus. Your Word says when I am rooted in Christ, my faith will grow strong in the truth and I will overflow with gratitude. I want that! More than anything else in life . . . I want that!

I commit my life to You. I surrender myself to Your will. Teach me. Guide me. And help me keep my focus on Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life who is the source and sustainer of my faith. (Hebrews 12:2)

Lead me by Your truth and teach me, for You are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in You. Remember, O Lord, your compassion and unfailing love, which you have shown from long ages past.

Psalm 25:5–6

Father, my heart’s desire is to make Your truth the foundation of not only my faith but of every area of my life. Through Jesus, You have forgiven me and healed my heart. Your compassion and perfect forever love fully surround me.

Please remind me through Your Spirit to daily put on the full armor I need to fight any battle that comes my way. Help me stand firm wrapped in the belt of truth. The enemy tempts and taunts me with lies but by Your grace, You have given me the Truth I need to resist and fight back. Thank you, Lord, for giving me the truth I need to live with strength today and with hope for tomorrow.

The Lord is righteous in everything He does; He is filled with kindness. The Lord is close to all who call on Him, yes, to all who call on Him in truth. He grants the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cries for help and rescues them.

Psalm 145:17–19

I worship You, Lord. You are the Savior of my soul and King of my life. I praise You for You reign over all creation and yet, You care intimately about me. It is too wonderful to understand but I believe because You are who You say You are and do what You say You will do.

You are perfect and kind, merciful and loving. You provide for my needs and You hear the cries of my heart. You are the source of wisdom, knowledge, and truth and I trust You with every area of my life. By the power and with the help of Your Spirit, I can be confident that You are TRUTH!

I give myself to You today. Guide me according to Your will and help me live for Your glory. Amen.

Taking our questions and confusion to God in prayer asking Him to help us be confident we know the truth, that we can trust His promises and rest in His love. #BibleStudy #Hope #Prayer #BibleQuotes #CountingMyBlessings #WWGGG

Where do you go when you want to be confident you know the truth?

Do you search the internet?
Ask the experts?
Look for the best book on the topic?

You and I are so very blessed!

We have the best Book . . . the written words of the source of all wisdom, knowledge, and truth. We have the perfect expert in the Holy Spirit to guide us and help us understand the words of Scripture.

And we have the blessing of prayer to ask every and any question without ridicule or rejection.

Isaiah wrote the following words of the Lord…

“Let all the world look to me for salvation!
    For I am God; there is no other.
I have sworn by my own name;
    I have spoken the truth,
    and I will never go back on my word:
Every knee will bend to me,
    and every tongue will declare allegiance to me.” The people will declare, “The Lord is the source of all my righteousness and strength.”

Isaiah 45:22–23

The Lord is my source of TRUTH!

I’m praying for you today and asking God to be your source of TRUTH as well!

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

Take a moment to subscribe to Counting My Blessings and join more than 7500 of us as we read the New Testament together. We will share short posts every Monday through Friday that you can read each day or save for the weekend. Let’s study God’s Word together!

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I’m so excited to tell you about my new book!

No matter what a busy week may throw your way, God is with you in every moment. Take a breath and find peace in Him with the 52-Week Devotional Journal for Women, a weekly devotional full of Scripture passages, unique insights, and journal prompts. Strengthen and deepen your relationship with God as you focus on faith over the course of the year.
Get your copy here!

Check out our new Facebook Page/Group – #WWGGG – What Would Give God Glory. We’d love for you to join the movement!

And always remember – I LOVE hearing from you! So, please take a minute to say ‘hi’ by leaving a comment. 

If this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Send it to a friend, family member, coworker, or share it through the links below…

I’m asking God to bless you today!

5 Verses to Pray When You Need Strength and Courage

Asking God to pour out His Spirit and give us strength and courage to stand on His truths and face the world when it's easier to run away and hide. #Prayer #WarRoom #BibleQuotes CountingMyBlessings #WWGGG

You’ve probably seen the quote before.

“Be kind. Everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” ~Ian MacLaren

Everyone carries the burden of emotional baggage. Baggage that can so easily turn into fear, anxiety, frustration, anger, or overwhelming sadness.

Everyone gets out of bed each morning with a need for enough strength and courage to face the day. And I don’t know about you, but I know I’m unable to get there on my own. If it were up to me, most days, I would pull the covers over my head and hide in bed. Too often the baggage feels overwhelming and the strength and courage I want feels just out of reach.

But there is Good News! By God’s grace, You and I are not alone to deal with our emotional burdens and we don’t have to conjure up strength and courage on our own.

Isaiah wrote:

God has come to save me. I will trust in Him and not be afraid. The Lord God is my strength and my song; He has given me victory.”

Isaiah 12:2

God wants to give us victory over all the junk filled burdens we carry around. He invites us to run to Him rather than foolishly looking for worldly answers and solutions to our spiritual problems.

I’m running to God in prayer today, asking Him to pour out His Spirit and give us the courage and strength we need to stand on His truths and face the world when it seems easier to gather up our baggage and hide.

I’d love for you to join me in praying…

5 Verses to Pray When You Need Strength and Courage

Asking God to pour out His Spirit and give us strength and courage to stand on His truths and face the world when it's easier to run away and hide. #Prayer #WarRoom #BibleQuotes CountingMyBlessings #WWGGG

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:28

Jesus, I’m bringing all my emotional junk to you today. All my fears, worries, anxieties, frustrations, anger, pain, confusion, and so much more. It’s so easy for me to pick up my painful past any time difficult memories flash to mind. It’s even easier for me to worry about the future when I watch the news or listen to the fretful.

Please help me. I need Your Spirit’s help to remind that my past is forgiven and given completely to Your loving mercy and grace. And the future is in Your loving hands. I can rest in Your love and live each day as You direct me and give me the strength and courage I need.

“Don’t be afraid,” he said, “for you are very precious to God. Peace! Be encouraged! Be strong!” As he spoke these words to me, I suddenly felt stronger and said to him, “Please speak to me, my lord, for you have strengthened me.”

Daniel 10:19 (NCV)

Father, I love reading Your Word. You used many different ways to bless your children with strength and courage. You sent angels, prophets, judges, and kings. You used warriors and everyday people. And You even sent Your Son to save us.

Your unfailing love and provision overwhelms me. You promise that when I “seek You first”, You will give me everything I need. I believe that even means strength when I am weak and courage when I am afraid.

By Your grace, I am learning day by day that when You are with me . . . I will always have everything I need. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

For I hold you by your right hand—
    I, the Lord your God.
And I say to you,
    ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.

Isaiah 41:13

Father, thank you for faithfully holding me. Thank you for Your Word to remind me that You are here with me, willing to help me no matter what I am facing.

You give me peace to protect my heart and mind (Philippians 4:7). You are for me (Romans 8:31) You help me endure (1 Corinthians 10:13) You forgive me (Psalm 65:3) And You give me strength and courage.

Please give me child-like faith to keep my eyes on You. May I rest my hand in Yours, trust You to give me everything I need, and help me keep my eyes on You and trust that You are able to handle whatever we face together.

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
    Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
    I will hold you up with my
victorious right hand.

Isaiah 41:10

Oh Father, I read Your words spoken through Isaiah and I am ashamed. How could I have lived with fear for so very long? I was so foolish. You were always with me. I had reason to be discouraged or afraid. Please forgive me.

With the help of Your Spirit, please help me keep my focus on You and Your promises of victory. When the enemy tries to tempt me with worldly lies and terrors, help me remember that Jesus has already defeated him and by Your grace, I have Your Word, the Sword of the Spirit, to fight any battle he wages against me.

Please help me face each day clothed in armor, protected and strengthened by Your grace, mercy, and love.

Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean He no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?  No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

Romans 8:35,37

Lord, I pray that You will help me hold these words close to my heart. Jesus said, “In this world, you will have trials and sorrows but take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) When I am afraid of trouble, calamity, persecution, or danger . . . even when I walk through the valley of the shadow of death (Psalm 23:4), You are with me. Nothing can separate me from Your love. You have won my victory. No evil can defeat or overpower me. Your grace is sufficient. It is all I need.

And with Your Spirit’s help, I can have strength and courage for no weapon formed against me will succeed (Isaiah 54:17) Thank you! I pray that with Your help, I will boldly live each day for Your glory. I love You, Lord. You are all I need today, tomorrow, and forever. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Asking God to pour out His Spirit and give us strength and courage to stand on His truths and face the world when it's easier to run away and hide. #Prayer #WarRoom #BibleQuotes CountingMyBlessings #WWGGG

Friend, I believe God is the One who gives us the strength and courage we need. I believe He is the One who helps us look at life through the lens of faith. He is the One who helps us trust that nothing can overwhelm us when we are in His presence. He is Love. And He helps us respond to His love and love one another.

With God’s help, you and I can have the strength and courage we need to treat each other with kindness. We can look at people and see the person God created. We can lift each other up in prayer and forgive one another for the words and actions that hurt or offend us.

God is the One who truly gives us everything we need each day. He is with us, holding us, strengthening us . . . giving us peace and making it possible for us to live victoriously.

May He bless you today with the strength and courage you need to live for His glory.

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

Take a moment to subscribe to Counting My Blessings and join more than 7500 of us as we read the New Testament together. We will share short posts every Monday through Friday that you can read each day or save for the weekend. Let’s study God’s Word together!

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I’m so excited to tell you about my new book!

No matter what a busy week may throw your way, God is with you in every moment. Take a breath and find peace in Him with the 52-Week Devotional Journal for Women, a weekly devotional full of Scripture passages, unique insights, and journal prompts. Strengthen and deepen your relationship with God as you focus on faith over the course of the year.
Get your copy here!

Check out our new Facebook Page/Group – #WWGGG – What Would Give God Glory. We’d love for you to join the movement!

And always remember – I LOVE hearing from you! So, please take a minute to say ‘hi’ by leaving a comment. 

If this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Send it to a friend, family member, coworker, or share it through the links below…

I’m asking God to bless you today!

Verses to Pray When You Need to Be Encouraged

Prayers based on Bible verses for anyone who is worn out and frustrated. Anyone who feels they need to be encouraged and given hope. #Blessings #Prayer #Hope #Faith #NeedEncouragement #InspiringQuotes #CountingMyBlessings #WWGGG

I don’t know about you, but I’m over this!

I’m tired of social distancing and wearing masks. I miss seeing faces and sharing smiles with random strangers. I’m saddened by civil unrest and riots. The truth is, I can be patient for a long time . . . but I’m ready to be done!

I’m weary of storms and fires and viruses and people arguing over the definitions of “good” and “evil.”

I’m discouraged.

So, I went to the Word . . . to the words of prophets who understood feeling discouraged and disappointed as they lived through God’s “wake-up call” to His people in Jerusalem.

Jeremiah wept over the fall of Jerusalem and Isaiah mourned the nation’s captivity in Babylon. They understood feelings of discouragement—even more than me.

Courage is the root of the words discouraged and encouraged.

Discouraged means to lose courage and encouraged means to build courage.

And that’s what I want. I need to be encouraged. The Lord tells His children to be “strong and courageous” and I want that. I want to remember…

Be strong and courageous!

For the Lord, your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”

Deuteronomy 31:6

Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord, your God is with you wherever you go.

Joshua 1:9

Be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord!

Psalm 31:24

We are not alone. God is with us! He gives us courage when we place our faith and hope in Him. He is sovereign and nothing is outside of His care or control.

So, I’m praying verses I need to repeat today because I need my courage built up. I need to remember that God has this and every situation under control and He has you and me in the palm of His hand.

If you need to be encouraged, I’d love for you to pray with me. I believe God will build our courage as we place our faith and hope in Him.

Prayers based on Bible verses for anyone who is worn out and frustrated. Anyone who feels they need to be encouraged and given hope. #Blessings #Prayer #Hope #Faith #NeedEncouragement #InspiringQuotes #CountingMyBlessings #WWGGG

Verses to Pray When You Need to Be Encouraged

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
    Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
    I will hold you up with my
victorious right hand.

Isaiah 41:!0

Father, I’ll admit I’m discouraged. It makes me sad to see so many people at odds with each other. Good is being called evil and evil called good. People accuse one another of lying and “the facts” change so often, it’s hard to know what to believe.

Please surround with a sense of Your presence. Help me remember that You are with me. Through Jesus, You have made it possible for me to have a relationship with You. And You promise to give me the strength I need.

You have already won the victory. This season is temporary. I can trust Your unfailing promises. I can be encouraged!

Have you never heard?
    Have you never understood?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of all the earth.
He never grows weak or weary.
    No one can measure the depths of His understanding.
He gives power to the weak
    and strength to the powerless.
Even youths will become weak and tired,
    and young men will fall in exhaustion.
But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
    They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
    They will walk and not faint.

Isaiah 40:28–31

Father, I’m weak, tired, and exhausted. I’m guilty of gazing at my problems and failing to focus my heart and mind on You. I need You, the One who never grows weak or weary. I need You to help me understand. I need Your power and strength.

Please forgive me for losing focus. Help me attach my heart and my mind to the truth that You are the great I AM. You spoke and creation appeared. You are always present and always willing to help. Please give me all I need to keep moving forward in faith . . . to keep walking, to run when I can, and sometimes even soar above it all. By Your grace, help me encourage others with the encouragement You give me . . . that the world may know the blessing of Your love.

When you go through deep waters,
    I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty,
    you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression,
    you will not be burned up;
    the flames will not consume you.
For I am the Lord, your God,
    the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

Isaiah 43:2–3a

Father, I can be guilty of trying to live my life relying on my own strength and that always leads to fear and being overwhelmed by my circumstances. But when I cling to You, when I remember that You are the Lord, my God and my Savior . . . I have everything I need.

When You are with me I am able to go “through” life’s troubles. Deep waters will not overcome and oppression will not consume me. Please forgive me. “Lord, I do believe. Help me overcome my unbelief.” (Mark 9:24) In Jesus name, I pray.

Prayers based on Bible verses for anyone who is worn out and frustrated. Anyone who feels they need to be encouraged and given hope. #Blessings #Prayer #Hope #Faith #NeedEncouragement #InspiringQuotes #CountingMyBlessings #WWGGG

The faithful love of the Lord never ends!
    His mercies never cease.
Great is His faithfulness;
    His mercies begin afresh each morning.
I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance;
    therefore, I will hope in Him!”

Lamentations 3:22–24

Father, please help me pause and simply rest in Your unending unfailing mercy and love. Your Word says, “God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son.” (John 3:16 NCV) Jesus, the living testimony of Your grace, mercy, and love.

Your mercy is greater than my sin. You allow us to live the consequences of our sin but You promise to forgive and give restoration and healing. We need You! We need Your healing touch that leads to renewal.

You said, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves, if they will pray and seek me and stop their evil ways, I will hear them from heaven. I will forgive their sin, and I will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14 NCV) Please forgive us, help, and heal us as we place our hope in You.

For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.

2 Corinthians 4:17–18

Yes, Father, our present troubles are temporary. That Apostle Paul knew troubles. He experienced being whipped, stoned, time imprisoned, and so much more, and yet he could focus on the good that You produced in him and You walked through each trouble with him.

By Your grace, help me fix my hopes and dreams on You . . . on who You are and all You have done and continue to do. This will pass. But Your love and the beautiful future “You have prepared for those who love You.” (1 Corinthians 2:9)

I love You, Lord. I surrender my life to You. By Your grace, please encourage me and help me live each day with strength and power for Your glory. I thank and praise You. Amen.

If you need to be encouraged, check out the following quote…

 “Snuggle in God’s arms. When you are hurting, when you feel lonely, left out. let Him cradle you, comfort you, reassure you of His all-sufficient power and love.”

~ Kay Arthur

If you feel like this season is draining your of your strength and joy. If you feel like you need to be encouraged . . . snuggle into God’s arms today. Trust that He is with you and that He will faithfully keep His promises to “be with you” (Matthew 28:20) and “give you everything you need.” (Luke 12:31)

May God bless you and give you the courage you need to live for Him today.

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

Take a moment to subscribe to Counting My Blessings and join more than 7500 of us as we read the New Testament together. We will share short posts every Monday through Friday that you can read each day or save for the weekend. Let’s study God’s Word together!

Subscribe to Blog via Email

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Leave your prayer requests…

and stop to pray one or two of the requests listed.

I’m so excited to tell you about my new book!

No matter what a busy week may throw your way, God is with you in every moment. Take a breath and find peace in Him with the 52-Week Devotional Journal for Women, a weekly devotional full of Scripture passages, unique insights, and journal prompts. Strengthen and deepen your relationship with God as you focus on faith over the course of the year.
Get your copy here!

Check out our new Facebook Page/Group – #WWGGG – What Would Give God Glory. We’d love for you to join the movement!

And always remember – I LOVE hearing from you! So, please take a minute to say ‘hi’ by leaving a comment. 

If this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Send it to a friend, family member, coworker, or share it through the links below…

I’m asking God to bless you today!

Powerful Verses to Pray When You are in a Battle with Addiction

Too many lives are being destroyed by the overwhelming power of addiction. Too many families are suffering in their battle with addiction. Join us in prayer. #addiction #Recovery #codependency #CountingMyBlessings #WWGGG

Too many lives are being destroyed by the overwhelming power of addiction.

Too many families are suffering because of the pain caused by addiction.

Addiction is defined as a persistent, compulsive dependence on a behavior or substance.

Researchers speak of two different types of addictions: 

  • substance addictions (for example, alcoholism, drug abuse, and smoking);
  • process addictions (for example, gambling, spending, shopping eating, and sexual activity).

And an Addiction Diagnosis is based on 5 criteria:

          1. loss of willpower
          2. harmful consequences
          3. unmanageable lifestyle
          4. tolerance or escalation of use
          5. withdrawal symptoms upon quitting (Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine)

Based on that definition, I believe every family is or has been touched by addiction in some way. Everyone knows someone whose life is being controlled by its addiction’s power.

Here are a few quick facts about Addiction in America from June of this year:

  • Almost 21 million Americans have at least one addiction, yet only 10% of them receive treatment.
  • Drug overdose deaths have more than tripled since 1990.
  • From 1999 to 2017, more than 700,000 Americans died from overdosing on a drug.
  • Alcohol and drug addiction cost the U.S. economy over $600 billion every year.
  • In 2017, 34.2 million Americans committed DUI, 21.4 million under the influence of alcohol and 12.8 million under the influence of drugs.
  • About 20% of Americans who have depression or an anxiety disorder also have a substance use disorder.
  • More than 90% of people who have an addiction started to drink alcohol or use drugs before they were 18 years old.
  • Americans between the ages of 18 and 25 are most likely to use addictive drugs.
    Addiction Center (for more statistics, information, and help)

But although the power of addiction is great, there is a greater power … Jesus is the Power who has overcome this world’s evil. And He has invited us to come to Him in prayer with every need. Even those needs that crush our spirits and seem to be overwhelming and impossible.

So… let’s take Him at His word and go to Him on behalf of ourselves and our loved ones—those who are a battle with addiction.

Pray When You are in a Battle with Addiction

Too many lives are being destroyed by the overwhelming power of addiction. Too many families are suffering in their battle with addiction. Join us in prayer. #addiction #Recovery #codependency #CountingMyBlessings #WWGGG

Be strong and courageous.
Do not be afraid or terrified because of them,
for the LORD your God goes with you;
He will never leave you nor forsake you.

Deuteronomy 31:6
A Prayer for the Person in a Battle with Addiction

Lord, I am weak and afraid. Temptation taunts and tempts me. Some days the battle feels too great. But Jesus … I believe You are with me. You do not leave me to fight hard battles alone. You promise to to be with me and give me courage and strength when I have none of my own. You are close enough to hear my cries and hold me close. I believe that with Your help, I can be strong and courageous. I need You. Please help me Amen.

A Prayer for a Loved One in a Battle with Addiction

Lord, My loved one is hurting and fighting a terrible battle. I see them feeling helpless and alone. But Jesus … I know You are with __________. Please help them know and feel Your loving presence. Give them courage and strength. Please hold them close when they cry out to You and give them everything they need to fight this dependence. Give them victory and restore them to health. Amen.

But if we confess our sins to Him,
He is faithful and just to forgive our
sins and cleanse us from all wickedness.

1 John 1:9
A Prayer for the Person in a Battle with Addiction

Lord, I struggle with so much guilt and shame. The enemy continuously taunts me with my past failures. But Your Word says You are faithful. Faithful! That means always. Every time. You promise to forgive me every time I come to You in repentance. So once again, I ask You to wash me clean. Heal me by Your grace and mercy. I am so sorry. Forgive me. In Jesus name. Amen.

A Prayer for a Loved One in a Battle with Addiction

Lord God, I see __________ struggling to be free of the past. They continue to carry the guilt of past pain and failures and it hurts me to see them in so much pain. Your Word promises that when we ask You to forgive us . . . You do! Please help __________ come to You for forgiveness. Help him/her trust Your healing mercy and grace. Help them know the joy of being washed clean through Jesus.  Amen.

Therefore if anyone is in Christ,
He is a new creature;
the old things passed away;
behold, new things have come.

2 Corinthians 5:17
A Prayer for the Person in a Battle with Addiction

Jesus, You can make all things new … even me. You can restore me. I’ve made a mess of things but You suffered and died to redeem me from my mess and give me a future filled with hope. With Your help, I can have a fresh start. I can rise above the pain and misery of my past, and live with joy. Thank you, Lord. Amen.

A Prayer for a Loved One in a Battle with Addiction

Lord, I know You love _____________ even more than I do. I believe You are able to transform him/her. Please turn them around and place them on a new path. Help me trust that You are at work in my loved one’s life. Keep me from interfering and each time I start to worry, help me to return to You in prayer. Amen.

But seek first the kingdom of God
and His righteousness, and
all these things will be added to you.

Matthew 6:33
A Prayer for the Person in a Battle with Addiction

Lord God, my addiction is powerful but I believe You are more powerful. So, I ask You to help me seek You first. Please help me turn to You when I need strength. Please help me surrender my all to You, trusting that You are able to make me righteous … to take my sinfulness and make me blameless. You are able to give me everything I need. Thank you for this beautiful promise of hope. I am humbled and so very thankful. Amen.

A Prayer for a Loved One in a Battle with Addiction

Jesus, please help my loved one to seek You. You alone are able to meet their needs. I pray that ___________ will begin to know how much You love him/her. Please surround them with people who will point them to You. Unsettle them, Lord, until they turn to You in humble surrender. Please help them fight and with this battle with addiciont. By Your grace and for Your glory. Amen.

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
A Prayer for the Person in a Battle with Addiction

Lord, I surrender my heart, my addiction, my all to You. I trust that You are able to guide me today and every day in the future. You are my Healer and my Redeemer. You are my future hope and happiness. Thank you, for Your grace, mercy, and love. I trust You with all my heart. Help me stay strong as I live each day humbly dependent on You. Amen.

A Prayer for a Loved One in a Battle with Addiction

Lord Jesus, please make __________’s path straight. Help him/her find in You the recovery they so desperately need. I believe You are greater than their circumstances. I believe You are able to do the impossible. You are the God of miracles and we need a miracle. Please help __________. Please help us all. Through Your power to heal, please deliver and transform . . . that we might lift Your name in praise and live for the glory of Your name. Amen.

Too many lives are being destroyed by the overwhelming power of addiction. Too many families are suffering in their battle with addiction. Join us in prayer. #addiction #Recovery #codependency #CountingMyBlessings #WWGGG

Friends the battle with addiction is real and painful for everyone it touches. I am praying for every one of you touched by the feelings of helplessness and fear brought on by its influence.

Remember all of Jesus’ miracles. Remember the times He delivered people who came to Him. Remember His promise that with God “all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)

You are not alone in this battle with addiction. The Lord is with you and loves you.

Today, I am asking the Lord bless and comfort you. I am asking Him to hold you close and lift you and your loved ones up with His healing love as you go through this difficult time.

God bless you!

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

Take a moment to subscribe to Counting My Blessings and join more than 7500 of us as we read the New Testament together. We will share short posts every Monday through Friday that you can read each day or save for the weekend. Let’s study God’s Word together!

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

You can also…

Leave your prayer requests…

and stop to pray one or two of the requests listed.

I’m so excited to tell you about my new book!

No matter what a busy week may throw your way, God is with you in every moment. Take a breath and find peace in Him with the 52-Week Devotional Journal for Women, a weekly devotional full of Scripture passages, unique insights, and journal prompts. Strengthen and deepen your relationship with God as you focus on faith over the course of the year.
Get your copy here!

Check out our new Facebook Page/Group – #WWGGG – What Would Give God Glory. We’d love for you to join the movement!

And always remember – I LOVE hearing from you! So, please take a minute to say ‘hi’ by leaving a comment. 

If this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Send it to a friend, family member, coworker, or share it through the links below…

I’m asking God to bless you today!

Pray When You Need to Get Out of the Pit

When you find yourself overwhelmed and you need to get out of the pit of despair, it's time to pray, wait, look up, and trust God to give you what you need. #Psalms #Prayer #Depression #CountingMyBlessings #WWGGG #BlessingBloggers

Have you ever found yourself deep in a pit of despair?

Yeah, me too.

Maybe you’re there now.

And the truth is, it stinks.

One of the worst parts is that when you and I find ourselves in that dank dark place with our feet stuck in the muck, it’s really hard to see our way out.

That’s the reason Psalm 40 is one of my favorites.

I waited patiently for the Lord to help me,
    and He turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the pit of despair,
    out of the mud and the mire.
He set my feet on solid ground
    and steadied me as I walked along.
He has given me a new song to sing,
    a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see what He has done and be amazed.
    They will put their trust in the Lord. v. 1–3

Okay, maybe, like me, you don’t necessarily wait patiently. Patient is not typically how I feel when I’m in a pit but stop with me for a minute and look at David’s next words…

He turned to me and heard my cry.

And in Psalm 56, David wrote…

You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in Your bottle. You have recorded each one in Your book. v. 8

The Lord does not just gaze down at our pit dwelling. He is not simply an observer of our pain. Like a loving parent, He cares and He lifts.

Our Heavenly Father reaches down into our pits, takes us by the hand, and lifts us up and out. That’s mercy, grace, and love.

David said he did the waiting and God did the lifting.

Out of the mud and mire to solid ground. showing him the way to go and giving him a song to sing. And He does it all for our good and His glory.

We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.

Romans 8:28

And…

For everything comes from him and exists by His power and is intended for His glory. All glory to him forever! Amen.

Romans 11:36

So, I’m praying verses from Psalm 40 today. I’m asking God to lift us out of the mud and mire, plant our feet our the solid foundation of faith, and show us the way to go. I’d love for you to join me.

Pray Psalm 40 When You Need to Get Out of the Pit

When you find yourself overwhelmed and you need to get out of the pit of despair, it's time to pray, wait, look up, and trust God to give you what you need. #Psalms #Prayer #Depression #CountingMyBlessings #WWGGG #BlessingBloggers

I waited patiently for the Lord to help me,
and He turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the pit of despair,
out of the mud and the mire.

v. 1-2a

Father, waiting patiently is hard . . . it’s especially hard to wait when I’m overwhelmed with despair. Yet, as I pause, I realize that I am never alone. You are always with me. You heard the cries of my heart and reached down in love.

That’s when your love became the thing that overwhelmed me. You, my “Abba, Father” reached down into the pit and lifted me out. That is Your love for your children. Whether it is a pit of our own making, one made by someone else, or one caused by the pain and problems of this world, Your love is greater than our circumstances. Your love is greater than anything the enemy uses to try to defeat us. Your grace and mercy lift us up.

Jesus lifts us up and sets us free. Jesus lifts me up and sets me free.

He set my feet on solid ground
    and steadied me as I walked along.
He has given me a new song to sing,
    a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see what He has done and be amazed.
    They will put their trust in the Lord.

v. 2b–3

Thank you, Jesus. You are our firm foundation. Thank you for being the same yesterday, today, and forever. Your unchanging truth is solid ground.

Your Word guides and directs our steps and Your Spirit gives us the wisdom and understanding we need to move forward in faith. Please give me everything I need to follow where You lead. Keep me on the path You have prepared for me and help me focus my heart and mind on You that I might know and do Your will as You reveal it to me each day.

Lord, I worship You! I praise You! I lift up the name of Jesus, praying that the world might know and trust Your love.

O Lord my God, You have performed
many wonders for us.
    Your plans for us are too numerous to list.
    You have no equal.
If I tried to recite all Your wonderful deeds,
    I would never come to the end of them.

v. 5

Father, Your miraculous wonders surround us. Your plans for Your children are immeasurable. Please don’t let me miss what You want for me because I am stuck in the muck of my pit . . . focused on my own wants, needs, and circumstances.

Please help me repeat again and again the accounts of all Your wonderful acts of love. May I read and reread Your Word to be reminded of Your faithful goodness to Your children. May I keep a list of all the ways You have cared for me and helped me in the past. May I faithfully thank you for Your grace, mercy, and love shown to me through Your Son, Jesus. May I have everything I need to love and trust You through the gift of Your Holy Spirit. And may I thank and praise You every day for Your promises and the hope and confidence that You will give me everything I need to live this day and every day throughout eternity.

Lord, don’t hold back your tender
mercies from me.
    Let Your unfailing love and
faithfulness always protect me.
For troubles surround me—
    too many to count!
My sins pile up so high
    I can’t see my way out.
They outnumber the hairs on my head.
    I have lost all courage.
Please, Lord, rescue me!
    Come quickly, Lord, and help me.

v. 11–13

Father, I know we will still have troubles. Sometimes my troubles may seem overwhelming and sometimes they may even knock me back into my pit. But whatever my situation, please surround me with Your unfailing love. Forgive me when the muck is of my own making. Help me forgive others when they try to put me in a pit. Help me when my courage and hope waver.

Help me look up! Help me see Your hand reaching down to lift me up. Come quickly, Lord, when I need You. This world can be hard sometimes but You have already won the victory. Through Your grace, I have everything I need.

But may all who search for You
    be filled with joy and gladness in you.
May those who love your salvation
    repeatedly shout, “The Lord is great!”

v. 16

Father, fill us with joy and gladness. So much so, that everyone we meet will want to know the reason for our peace and contentment. I pray to be so full of joy that people will want what You have given to me.

And then, I will enthusiastically repeat, “The Lord is great!”

You are so good and gracious. Yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Because of Your love and Your grace, I am able to live outside of the pit with my feet on the firm foundation of faith trusting that You will guide me and help me as I place my trust in You. Thank you, Father. Amen.

When you find yourself overwhelmed and you need to get out of the pit of despair, it's time to pray, wait, look up, and trust God to give you what you need. #Psalms #Prayer #Depression #CountingMyBlessings #WWGGG #BlessingBloggers

When You Need to Get Out of the Pit

Friend, the reality is . . . life can be hard and you and I might slip and fall into another pit. If I’m really being open here, I have to admit that I occasionally slip back into a familiar well-known pit of pain and sadness.

But by God’s grace, that’s when I go back David’s words in Psalm 40 . . . to that place of looking up and waiting with anticipation.

A place of trusting that the Lord will lift me out of my pit one more time, planting my feet on the firm foundation of faith in Christ Jesus, guiding my steps along His path for me, and restoring my joy with hope and promise.

And that’s why we tell our stories again and again.

 So…

Many will see what He has done and be amazed.
    They will put their trust in the Lord.

Psalm 40:3

I’m so glad you joined me today. If you’re stuck and ready to get out of a pit, look up . . . the Lord will lift you up and show you the way to go so you can tell the wonderful things He does and encourage other pit dwellers to wait, look up, and put their trust in the One who is worthy of all worship and praise!

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

Take a moment to subscribe to Counting My Blessings and join more than 7500 of us as we read the New Testament together. We will share short posts every Monday through Friday that you can read each day or save for the weekend. Let’s study God’s Word together!

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

You can also…

Leave your prayer requests…

and stop to pray one or two of the requests listed.

I’m so excited to tell you about my new book!

No matter what a busy week may throw your way, God is with you in every moment. Take a breath and find peace in Him with the 52-Week Devotional Journal for Women, a weekly devotional full of Scripture passages, unique insights, and journal prompts. Strengthen and deepen your relationship with God as you focus on faith over the course of the year.
Get your copy here!

Check out our new Facebook Page/Group – #WWGGG – What Would Give God Glory. We’d love for you to join the movement!

And always remember – I LOVE hearing from you! So, please take a minute to say ‘hi’ by leaving a comment. 

If this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Send it to a friend, family member, coworker, or share it through the links below…

I’m asking God to bless you today!

Helpful Verses to Pray When It’s Hard to Be Strong

Some days it's just hard to be strong. Those are the days we need to pray and ask the One who promises that through Christ, we can have the strength we need. #Prayer #BibleVerses #BeStronger #CountingMyBlessings #WWGGG #BlessingBloggers

Occasionally, I have a day when I wake up and I feel strong enough to handle whatever the day throws at me. But then there are the other days when I open my eyes and I’m not sure I have what it takes just to get out of bed.

I’m guessing I’m not alone…

Sometimes pain and/or illness cause physical limitations that sap my strength. Often . . . it’s some life problem that is emotionally draining that leaves me feeling fragile and inadequate.

And sometimes it’s the thought of dealing with a difficult relationship that leaves me wanting to pull the covers over my head and hide.

What depletes your strength most often?

In more recent years, I’ve realized that the mornings when I can’t muster the strength to face what lies ahead, are the ones when I’ve forgotten important truths from God’s Word…

Have you never heard?
Have you never understood?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of all the earth.
He never grows weak or weary.
No one can measure the depths of
His understanding.
He gives power to the weak
and strength to the powerless.

Isaiah 40:28–29

And…

I can do everything through Christ, 
who gives me strength. 

Philippians 4:13

So, I’m taking all my “I don’t want to face the day” feelings to the Lord in prayer asking Him to help me be strong and I’d love for you to join me.

Helpful Verses to Pray When It’s Hard to Be Strong

Some days it's just hard to be strong. Those are the days we need to pray and ask the One who promises that through Christ, we can have the strength we need. #Prayer #BibleVerses #BeStronger #CountingMyBlessings

God is our refuge and strength,
always ready to help in times of trouble.

Psalm 46:1

Father, You are my hiding place, and today, if it were up to me . . . I’d stay hidden here in my room. The pain, the problems, the heaviness—it all feels like too much.

But then I hear You whisper that You are with me. You gently remind me that You love me and care about every detail in my life. Nothing I face is a surprise to You. Thank you for Your Spirit’s gentle nudge that reminds me I can always come to You when I need strength and help. Thank you!

Please forgive me for the times I jump out of bed foolishly believing I can manage the day ahead on my own. I’m sorry. Thank you for always being ready to help. Thank you for giving me another day. I surrender myself to You. Please go with me and help me, Father. Please give me the strength I need to love well and live for Your glory.

Isaiah 12:2

Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; He has become my salvation.

Isaiah 12:2 (NIV)

Father, Savior, I want Isaiah’s words to be true in my life. I want to be able to proclaim every single day, “I will trust and not be afraid.” But, I falter. I want to be confident and unafraid every day but I still have days when I’m weak and tired and yes, even a little afraid. Please help me.

Just a few sentences later, Isaiah wrote –   “Thank the Lord! Praise His name!
Tell the nations what He has done. Let them know how mighty He is! Sing to the Lord, for he has done wonderful things. Make known his praise around the world. (v. 4–5)

I will pause to remember all You have done for me. You are my Savior. You are all I need. You have blessed me and lovingly given me the courage I needed in the past. The times You’ve helped me be strong. So, I surrender this day to You, trusting You to go before me and stand beside me to make me strong one moment at a time.

My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!

The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.

Psalm 121:2, 8

 Father, You are our Creator. You keep watch over all You have made and You watch over me. You are my helper. You lift my head giving me courage and strength when I’m weak and overwhelmed.

I believe there is no problem that is too great for You to intervene and none so small that You do not care. You are loving, compassionate, and kind. I need You, Lord. Please help me. Remind me throughout the day to come to You whenever I feel overwhelmed and apprehensive.

You are the LORD – the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8) You call me Your own child. (Romans 8:15) You give me a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline. (2 Timothy 1:7)

I believe You will give me the strength I need to live one moment at a time and that is all the strength I need.

In His kindness, God called you to share in His eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, He will restore, support, and strengthen you, and He will place you on a firm foundation. All power to Him forever! Amen.

1 Peter 5:10–11

Father, Jesus said that in this world we will have trouble. (John 16:33) Trouble shouldn’t surprise us. Yet, it still doesn’t make it easy.

Suffering is hard. I’d love to avoid it altogether.

But Father, I believe You are able to and will give me the strength I need to live today whatever You allow. I believe You are with me. I also believe that the troubles I endure here are temporary . . . You are preparing a place for me in Your presence. A place where Your glory shines forever and ever. Thank you for restoring, supporting, and strengthening me to live with courage and without fear. Your strength and power are my firm foundation.

[The Lord, my Shepherd] renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to His name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for You are close beside me.

Psalm 23:3–4

Father, You are the One who renews my strength. You are the One who guides me according to Your will . . . may I be willing to trust, follow, and obey You in all things. Even when life is overwhelming, when I’m afraid and it’s hard to find the strength I need, You are with me. And when I focus on You . . . when I center my heart and mind on Your presence, I am not afraid.

Lord, My heart’s desire is to live for Your glory. I want people to see Your love in me but on my own, I’m not strong enough . . . I fail miserably. I need You. Please strengthen me. Lead me. And help me follow Your will that I might glorify and honor You with courage and strength. Amen.

Some days it's just hard to be strong. Those are the days we need to pray and ask the One who promises that through Christ, we can have the strength we need. #Prayer #BibleVerses #BeStronger #CountingMyBlessings #WWGGG #BlessingBloggers

With God’s Help You Can Be Strong

Friends, It’s time to throw those covers back and get out of bed. I believe that with God’s help you and I can be strong enough to handle whatever this day throws our way.

And tomorrow, well, God will give us enough to do that day as well. We can count on Him for the one after that and next one and the next and so on and so on.

His grace is sufficient! So, stop with me today and memorize Philippians 4:13…

I can do all things through Christ
who gives me strength!

I’m asking God to bless you with all the strength you need today!

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

Take a moment to subscribe to Counting My Blessings and join more than 7500 of us as we read the New Testament together. We will share short posts every Monday through Friday that you can read each day or save for the weekend. Let’s study God’s Word together!

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

You can also…

Leave your prayer requests…

and stop to pray one or two of the requests listed.

I’m so excited to tell you about my new book!

No matter what a busy week may throw your way, God is with you in every moment. Take a breath and find peace in Him with the 52-Week Devotional Journal for Women, a weekly devotional full of Scripture passages, unique insights, and journal prompts. Strengthen and deepen your relationship with God as you focus on faith over the course of the year.
Get your copy here!

Check out our new Facebook Page/Group – #WWGGG – What Would Give God Glory. We’d love for you to join the movement!

And always remember – I LOVE hearing from you! So, please take a minute to say ‘hi’ by leaving a comment. 

If this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Send it to a friend, family member, coworker, or share it through the links below…

I’m asking God to bless you today!

5 More Verses to Pray When You Need God to Do the Impossible

Bible Verses to pray when problems are overwhelming. I’m not only asking God to do the impossible … I’m believing that He CAN DO the IMPOSSIBLE! #Prayer #Faith #WarRoom #BibleQuotes #CountingMyBlessings #BlessingBloggers #WWGGG

The #1 post here at Counting My Blessings by far is – 5 Verses to Pray When You Need God to Do the Impossible.

The truth is people are facing seemingly impossible circumstances every day. Here are just some of the comments I’ve received on that post from the past year…

♥ My dear cousin passed away just 5 days ago due to Covid19. Now, both my nephew and I have the symptoms.

♥ My husband needs healing for his kidney (waiting for a donor), needs healing for his pancreas, and heart( had open heart surgery) our marriage is not in the best shape, we lost our home.

♥ I have been harassed and persecuted on my job.

♥ My family is in the dark pit of poverty.

♥ I need God to heal me emotionally. 

♥ I’m in a horribly abusive situation. 

♥ I had a brain aneurysm and I can’t stop worrying about my health.

♥ I have stage 4 cancer that has no cure. 

♥ My daughter longs for a child. 

♥ My friend has experienced a difficult life with mental health, alcoholism and drug issues.

♥ My child has a Major Depressive Disorder and Generalised Anxiety Disorder. 

You may be someone who is hurting and looking straight at some situation that feels more than impossible. You don’t know what to do or where to turn.

You’ve cried until your tears have dried up and prayed until you’ve run out of words. You need help.

I wrote something in that first “impossible” post a year and a half ago that I still believe as I pray for the “impossible” today…

I’m not only asking God to do the impossible … I’m believing that He CAN DO the IMPOSSIBLE! Even though I’ve asked Him [to do the impossible] a thousand times before, I’m confident He will hear my prayer and respond in love!

So, I’m going to God’s Word and turning to Him in prayer and I’d love for you to join me. Because there is no better place in the world to take our impossible circumstances than the throne room of the God who is victorious, sovereign, and love . . . the One for whom all things are possible.

Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.”

Mark 10:27

5 More Verses to Pray When You Need God to Do the Impossible

Bible Verses to pray when problems are overwhelming. I’m not only asking God to do the impossible … I’m believing that He CAN DO the IMPOSSIBLE! #Prayer #Faith #WarRoom #BibleQuotes #CountingMyBlessings #BlessingBloggers #WWGGG

Every word of God proves true. He is a shield to all who come to Him for protection.

Proverbs 30:5

Father, when I read these words, I feel like the father who honestly said to Jesus, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24) I believe Your promises. I believe You are able to do the impossible. I believe You are overflowing with grace, mercy, and love. I believe You are full of compassion and that You are my the One who is my shield and protection.

I need You. What I am facing today is harder than it feels like I can endure. My heart and my head hurt. My emotions are overloaded and I’m tired. I come to You with all the faith I have, to ask You please help me.

Lord, I place my hope in You.

Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”

Deuteronomy 31:8

Father, thank you for Your promise to be with me. Please make me ever aware of Your presence. You said to Joshua, “I will be with you . . . I will not fail you or abandon you.” (Joshua 1:5) And I believe that it is a promise You make to Your children who love and trust You.

Honestly, I am afraid and discouraged. This “impossible” situation feels like too much to endure. I need to remember that You are going before me. I need to know You are always with me in every high and every low. I need to believe that You will not fail me.

You have given me everything I need. Through Jesus, You have already won the victory over sin, death, and the power of the devil. Through Your Spirit, You give me faith, hope, and love. By Your grace, I will proclaim with David, “I will be glad and rejoice in your unfailing love, for you have seen my troubles, and you care about the anguish of my soul.” (Psalm 31:7)

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Genesis 1:1

Father, You spoke and the universe was formed. You spoke and life began. By Your design, You made substance and beauty with order and perfection. You are God Almighty! You are Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer. You made all things and maintain all things.

Nothing is too big for you to accomplish and nothing is too small for you to care. Please be with me through this seemingly impossible situation. I’m frightened about the future . . . be my peace. I’m in pain . . . be my strength. I’m frustrated and angry . . . be my comfort. You know what I need. I will place my hope in You because when You speak, Your will is accomplished.

“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.
    I have called you by name; you are mine.
When you go through deep waters,
    I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty,
    you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression,
    you will not be burned up;
    the flames will not consume you.
For I am the Lord, your God,
    the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”

Isaiah 43:1b–3a

Father, I know you spoke these words for the Children of Israel; yet, I have experienced their truth in my life as well. You have made me Your own through Jesus’ sacrifice and the power of the Holy Spirit who gives me all I need to love and trust You.

You are always with me, no matter what I am going through. You hold me as I go through deep waters giving me the strength I need to keep going. You protect me, heart and soul, when I am overwhelmed with life’s burdens. You are my Lord and Savior.

Father, I need You! This struggle I’m facing feels impossible. Sometimes it feels like I’m drowning in this painful situation. Please help me! I believe you are able to do the impossible. I believe You always do what is best. I trust Your will and humbly pray . . . “as you wish.”

No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:39

Father, Please help me turn my focus from my current problems to Your perfect unfailing lasting love. Nothing can remove me from Your love . . . not even this thing that feels impossible. I am forever and always secure in Your care. Whatever You allow . . . You promise to give me everything I need (Luke 12:31), to never leave me or forsake me (John 14:16), and to give me the strength I need in all circumstances (Philippians 4:13).

Thank you, Lord! I love You. I trust Your will. Please help me by Your grace, that my life might give You glory. Amen.

Bible Verses to pray when problems are overwhelming. I’m not only asking God to do the impossible … I’m believing that He CAN DO the IMPOSSIBLE! #Prayer #Faith #WarRoom #BibleQuotes #CountingMyBlessings #BlessingBloggers #WWGGG

Friend, I am sorry you are facing the “impossible.”

Please know, I’ve been there. In fact, even now I have prayers that can seem “impossible” because I have prayed them for so very long. But there is something I know for sure . . . part of God doing the “impossible” is the work He has done in my heart and mind, the way He has changed me even though He hasn’t chosen to change my circumstances so I continue to pray the following two verses.

Remember the things I have done in the past. For I alone am God! I am God, and there is none like me.

Isaiah 46:9

And…

“I know that You can do anything,
    and no one can stop you.

I had only heard about You before,
    but now I have seen You with my own eyes.

Job 42:2,5

I’m praying for you today and asking God to give you everything you need that you might know His loving presence and see Him with your own eyes. God bless you!

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

Take a moment to subscribe to Counting My Blessings and join more than 7500 of us as we read the New Testament together. We will share short posts every Monday through Friday that you can read each day or save for the weekend. Let’s study God’s Word together!

Subscribe to Blog via Email

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I’m so excited to tell you about my new book!

No matter what a busy week may throw your way, God is with you in every moment. Take a breath and find peace in Him with the 52-Week Devotional Journal for Women, a weekly devotional full of Scripture passages, unique insights, and journal prompts. Strengthen and deepen your relationship with God as you focus on faith over the course of the year.
Get your copy here!

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5 Promises to Pray That Will Help When You are Grieving

It's hard to find the words to pray when you are grieving. We tend to cry "why" through exhausted tears and pain. But God gave His promises to pray. #Grief #VersestoPray #PromisesofGod #CountingMyBlessings #WWGGG #BlessingBloggers

It seems like everywhere I look, friends and family . . . even complete strangers are overwhelmed by grief.

Covid and chaos have caused us to lose loved ones, jobs, and financial security. Isolation and emotional stress has broken relationships, worsened depression, and increased substance abuse.

The list of reasons people are grieving is growing by the day.

If you are grieving, you may be able to share your loss publicly making it possible for you to receive prayer and encouragement from the people around you.

But there are others who…

Are carrying around a personal private pain they’re unable to talk about . . . grief they don’t feel they can share.

Maybe you are one of those people. Maybe your heart is breaking and a small part of you is wondering “why” God would allow this horrible pain to touch your life.

Or maybe you know someone in that situation and you’re desperately trying to find a way to help them.

David wrote:

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed.

Psalm 34:18

I have to admit, although I’ve known this verse since I was a child, I didn’t always rely on it as TRUTH. Because doubt and uncertainty caused me to believe there were things that could break my heart and crush me beyond the point of rescue.

But God allowed me to experience a grief that put David’s words to the test in my life. I was crushed and alone . . . I imagine most people who experience grief feel they have to go through it alone. Grief is personal and comes with its own individualized timetable.

But our Heavenly Father is personal and individual too. He meets us in our unique circumstances and He met me in my grief.

How?

Through His Word and prayer.

As I spent time in His Word and turned to Him in surrendered prayer . . . I slowly began to heal and my trust in the Lord’s faithfulness to keep His promises grew as well.

Today, I’m sharing some of the verses and prayers God used to help me heal when I was grieving. Promises that held me through tears and reminded me of His sufficient grace, mercy, and love . . . promises that gave me hope for the future.

I’d love for you to join me. You can pray these prayers for yourself or place the name of someone you love and care for in the blanks as you pray with me.

Promises to Pray That Will Help When You are Grieving

It's hard to find the words to pray when you are grieving. We tend to cry "why" through exhausted tears and pain. But God gave His promises to pray. #Grief #VersestoPray #PromisesofGod #CountingMyBlessings #WWGGG #BlessingBloggers

He heals the brokenhearted and
bandages their wounds.

How great is our Lord! His power is absolute!
His understanding is beyond comprehension!

Psalm 147:3,5

Father, when my heart is broken, I trust You to be my Healer. I believe You will give me (my loved one) everything I need one day at a time.

I really hate this situation and I believe You hate it too. Pain was not Your will for Your children . . . we are sinful people in a sinful world. Thank you for Your love for us and for being great in power and understanding. Thank you for sending Jesus to give us a relationship that supplies us with everything we need to heal. I surrender my grief (__________’s grief) to You. Please help me to focus on You as You provide for us throughout this day.

He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on Him and looked the other way.
    He was despised, and we did not care.
Yet it was our weaknesses He carried;
    it was our sorrows that weighed Him down.

Isaiah 53:3–4a

Jesus, You experienced grief. You wept over the death of Your friend and in anticipation of Your own suffering and death . . . even though You knew (You know) that death is not the end for those who place their trust in You.

Thank you for carrying our weaknesses, failures, and sins to the cross. Thank you for experiencing pain and sorrow. You “understand our weaknesses. [You] were tempted in every way that we are, but [You] did not sin.” (Hebrews 4:15)

Jesus, please walk with me (__________) through this grief and increase my faith as I place my hope in You.

Morning, noon, and night I cry out in my distress, and the Lord hears my voice.

Give your burdens to the Lord, and He will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.

Psalm 55:17,22
It's hard to find the words to pray when you are grieving. We tend to cry "why" through exhausted tears and pain. But God gave His promises to pray. #Grief #VersestoPray #PromisesofGod #CountingMyBlessings #WWGGG #BlessingBloggers

Father, thank you for listening to my prayers. You know my voice and even when I can’t put my prayers into words, You hear the cries of my heart. So, I bring You this burden. I lay this grief at Your feet trusting that You will hold me (__________). I believe You will keep me from slipping and falling into doubt and fear. Please fill me (__________) with Your Spirit and grant me (__________) Your peace.

He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”

Revelations 21:4

Father, I love this promise of hope for the future. No more death or sorrow or crying or pain. That is the future You promise Your children. No more tears of grief or brokenness.

You are making everything new. (Revelation 21:5) And You promise these words are true and trustworthy. With Your help, I hold Your Word close to my heart. You, Lord, are the One who fills my future with hope and promise. Thanks and praise.

 I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.

Romans 8:38

Oh, Father, how I love this promise. Nothing can separate Your children from Your perfect unfailing love. Not death or pain, problems or failures, fear, worry, or heartbreaking grief. Not even the enemy himself can remove us from Your loving care and compassion.

Thank you! I surrender this grief to You. The life, death, and resurrection of Your Son, Jesus, is the proof of Your unconquerable love. You surround us with a love so great it calms our fear, dries our tears, and assures our future.

Thank you, Father! You promise me a future filled with hope. (Jeremiah 29:11) You are the source of my hope for the future . . . for healing from grief and pain because Your Word promises “Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.” (Psalm 30:5)

I come to You, in Jesus’ name and I ask that You might answer my prayer that I might live each day for Your glory. Amen.

Thank you so much for praying with me. I am asking the Lord to be with you when you are grieving and give you everything you need. I have experienced His healing grace and pray that He will allow you to heal and be blessed with His perfect peace and joy.

God bless you!

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

Take a moment to subscribe to Counting My Blessings and join more than 7500 of us as we read the New Testament together. We will share short posts every Monday through Friday that you can read each day or save for the weekend. Let’s study God’s Word together!

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

You can also…

Leave your prayer requests…

and stop to pray one or two of the requests listed.

I’m so excited to tell you about my new book!

No matter what a busy week may throw your way, God is with you in every moment. Take a breath and find peace in Him with the 52-Week Devotional Journal for Women, a weekly devotional full of Scripture passages, unique insights, and journal prompts. Strengthen and deepen your relationship with God as you focus on faith over the course of the year.
Get your copy here!

Check out our new Facebook Page/Group – #WWGGG – What Would Give God Glory. We’d love for you to join the movement!

And always remember – I LOVE hearing from you! So, please take a minute to say ‘hi’ by leaving a comment. 

If this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Send it to a friend, family member, coworker, or share it through the links below…

I’m asking God to bless you today!

5 of the Best Verses to Pray for Your Friends

Praise God for the people who walk beside us, pull us along, and even nudge us from behind. Oh, the blessing of finding Scripture to pray for your friends... #Friendship #Prayer #WWGGG #BlessingBloggers #HisGraceGirls

I want to stop and celebrate the blessing of friends today.

Not our list of Facebook friends with whom we share the edited versions of our stories but the close group of people who know our real stories … those stories we keep hidden away from most of the world. I want to celebrate the people who truly know us and love us anyway.

I’ve learned there is a life truth we all need to remember. Everyone has a difficult or painful story. Everyone!

We all have a page or two in our stories that we keep tucked away because they are hard to share…

It’s been several years and yet, I can still picture every face gathered around that table like it happened last week. Seriously, I still remember where each person was sitting.

But more than our location at the table, I remember the question that invited us to share those tucked away pages of our stories…

” I WANT TO KNOW MORE, TELL ME YOUR TESTIMONY.” 

In other words, I want to know YOU – not just the pretty social media version but I want to know the parts of your story that make you … YOU!

And that’s hard, isn’t it?

It’s especially with people we don’t know well. We don’t like allowing ourselves to become vulnerable. We can’t help wondering … can I trust this person, this new friend, with my pain?

I still get emotional whenever I remember … when I think about that night and yes, even now, years later … because those girls are Romans 12 to me.

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. 

Romans 12:9–10, 15

I BELIEVE WE ALL WANT ROMANS 12 FRIENDSHIPS BUT IT’S HARD, ISN’T IT?

But we’re afraid.

Somehow that night, God gave us the courage to trust each other … to open up and share those pages that we typically kept locked away.

And it quickly became evident that the Lord was there with us…

“If two or three people come together in my name, I am there with them.”

Matthew 18:20

Because He was with us, we saw Jesus’ love in each other’s eyes, and one friend after another we told our stories. We cried. We laughed. We encouraged. We loved.

That’s friendship! That’s what we all want. Friends who love like Jesus!

So, today I want to pray for our friends and our friendships and I’d love for you to join me…

5 of the Best Verses to Pray for Your Friends

Praise God for the people who walk beside us, pull us along, and even nudge us from behind. Oh, the blessing of finding Scripture to pray for your friends... #Friendship #Prayer #WWGGG #CountingMyBlessings

Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Ephesians 4:32

Father, thank you for creating us to live in community. Thank you for knowing that the love of friends is an important part of our lives. You have instilled in us a need for companionship and You have established in us the ability to be kind to each other. You have made it possible for us to set aside our selfishness so that we might show compassion. You have given us an example of forgiveness and then You give us the ability to forgive one another.

Your grace shines in my friendships. Thank you for blessing me with beautiful souls who love You and love like You. They make every day better! Thank you Lord the gift of my beautiful friends!

So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:11

Father, I want to be a better encourager. I try … but I know I could do more. It’s so easy to be selfish or get distracted. Please forgive me.

By Your grace and with Your help, may I love like Jesus. May I be the one who builds up my friends. May I remind them of the ways I see You in them. May I faithfully pray for them. May I take the time to know them and love them as You love them.

Thank you for covering my failures with Your grace and mercy. Help me generously cover my hurts and disappointments with the love You pour into my life. May I always give the same forgiving love to my friends that I want them to give to me … that You give to us.

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. 

Romans 12:10–11

Father, what a blessing to have friends who are filled with the love of Christ Jesus. Friends who don’t just pretend to love … but who love with genuine kindness and humility.

Please be with my friend as they walk with You. Please hold them close as they journey through the highs and lows of life. Give them courage and strength for the battles they face. Give them peace to replace anxiety, hope to replace worry, and faith when doubts creep in. And more than anything, faithfully remind them that whatever they face today or in the future … nothing can separate them from Your love. (Romans 8:38) You are with them now as You will be forever. (Matthew 28:20)

Since God chose you to be the holy people He loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.

Colossians 3:12–15

Father, I need Your help. I want to consistently wear a wardrobe of mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience but I fall so far short every day. I have to admit that I want my friends to be patient and forgiving of my faults when I can be short on patience and forgiveness myself.

You are so patient and merciful to me. You have blessed me with wonderful friends. I realize when I fail to love the way You want me to love … it has more to do with me than it has to do with them.

Please fill me with the love of Christ Jesus. Please make His love be what guides, guards, and rules in my heart. Thank you for each one of the beautiful people who have brought into my life. Love them, Father, through me.

Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and His love is brought to full expression in us.

1 John 4:11–12

Oh, Father, thank you! I see Your love in my friends! You show Yourself in their lives … the way they humbly serve others, the way they listen and encourage, the way they care with compassion, the way they offer help and hope, and the way they forgive, and the way they love.

Each friend is a precious gift! Thank you! Please bless my friends today, Lord. Meet every need. Give them strength and courage for every battle they face. And cover them the power of Your promises and love. By Your grace and for Your glory shine Your light in them and through them. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Praise God for the people who walk beside us, pull us along, and even nudge us from behind. Oh, the blessing of finding Scripture to pray for your friends... #Friendship #Prayer #WWGGG #BlessingBloggers #HisGraceGirls

Finally, pray for your friends by name.

Stop for a moment today and….

Thank God for the people with whom you have been able to share the hard pages of your story. The friends who wanted to know the real YOU and have continued to love you just the way you are.

The friends who walk beside you when life is great, who hold out their hand when you need hope for the future and maybe even give you a little nudge when you need to leave the past in the past.

Thank God for the blessing of friends. Life just wouldn’t be the same without them!

I’m praying you are blessed today with much joy, as you think about and celebrate your friends.

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

Take a moment to subscribe to Counting My Blessings and join more than 7500 of us as we read the New Testament together. We will share short posts every Monday through Friday that you can read each day or save for the weekend. Let’s study God’s Word together!

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

You can also…

Leave your prayer requests…

and stop to pray one or two of the requests listed.

I’m so excited to tell you about my new book!

No matter what a busy week may throw your way, God is with you in every moment. Take a breath and find peace in Him with the 52-Week Devotional Journal for Women, a weekly devotional full of Scripture passages, unique insights, and journal prompts. Strengthen and deepen your relationship with God as you focus on faith over the course of the year.
Get your copy here!

Check out our new Facebook Page/Group – #WWGGG – What Would Give God Glory. We’d love for you to join the movement!

And always remember – I LOVE hearing from you! So, please take a minute to say ‘hi’ by leaving a comment. 

If this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Send it to a friend, family member, coworker, or share it through the links below…

I’m asking God to bless you today!

Promises That Will Give You Hope When You Need It Most

Having the promises of Jesus gives us hope when life is uncertain. His Words offer encouragement for today, tomorrow, and into the unknown future. #PromisesofGod #HopeinJesus #WWGGG #CountingMyBlessings

Terrorism, politics, illness, heartbreak, loss, and pandemics…

Sometimes this broken world feels like it’s too much … too painful. Too hard.

Then I stop and remember Solomon’s words:

History merely repeats itself. It has all been done before. Nothing under the sun is truly new.

Ecclesiastes 1:9

Nothing’s new. It’s all happened before.

No, I’m not trying to totally depress you, especially when I promised you hope.

But the truth is … our hope is not in this broken world. Our hope is in Jesus – the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

Jesus stepped into a painfully dark and broken time in history. Roman dominance. Temple dissension. Hurting broken people.

Remember … there’s nothing new under the sun.

But Jesus came to give us something new. A NEW that He alone could give.

New life. Changed life. Purposeful life. Redeemed life. Abundant life. Eternal life.

History may repeat itself. But the truths and promises of the newness you and I have in Jesus are only repeated as they become new lives in people who turned to Him in faith.

And that is what gives us hope. Real, renewing, and lasting hope. Promises of hope!

It’s a hope that reminds us we can trust every promise about Jesus that was ever made. So, let’s surround ourselves with Jesus’ hope today.

Let’s lay down our fears, anger, frustration, and hopelessness as we embrace the truth of promises that are forever true. Promises that give us eternal hope no matter what is happening in the world around us.

Having these promises we can count on in this nothing new under the sun world changes everything. Because under the Son, our everything is full of hope through His grace, mercy, and love.

Having the promises of Jesus gives us hope when life is uncertain. His Words offer encouragement for today, tomorrow, and into the unknown future. #PromisesofGod #HopeinJesus #WWGGG #CountingMyBlessings

20 Promises of Jesus that will Give You Hope

“God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for Him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.” Matthew 5:3

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11:28–30

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

“I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” John 8:12

Then Jesus told her, “I am the Messiah!” John 4:26

Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.” John 11:25

“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.” Matthew 6:33

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

Jesus said to the people who believed in Him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31–32

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent His Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through Him.” John 3:16–17

Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20

“I am the good shepherd. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and He is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.” John 10:11, 27–30

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. Remember what I told you: I am going away, but I will come back to you again.” John 14:27–28

“I will send you the Advocate—the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will testify all about me.” John 15:26

“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message.” John 17:20

“There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.” John 14:2–3

“I am the Alpha and the Omega—the beginning and the end,” says the Lord God. “I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come—the Almighty One.” Revelation 1:8

“Don’t be afraid! I am the First and the Last.I am the living one. I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave. Revelation 1:17–18

“Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds.I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” Revelations 22:12–13

For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory. 2 Corinthians 1:20

Having the promises of Jesus gives us hope when life is uncertain. His Words offer encouragement for today, tomorrow, and into the unknown future. #PromisesofGod #HopeinJesus #WWGGG #CountingMyBlessings

Praying the Promises of Hope

Father, Thank you so much for loving us so much that the moment we sinned You had a plan to save us. You Word says You love us so much that You gave Your only Son to save us … the highest price You could possibly pay. All because of love!

Thank you for Your Word! You want us to KNOW You. You want us to live each day knowing we are safe and secure in Jesus. He is the WAY of Life, He is the TRUTH we need for Life, and He is LIFE itself. He gives us the promise of eternal life and the blessing of a full and abundant life now.

Today, I come to You for rest. I bring You the junk of my life. Please forgive me for the ways I have failed to follow Your will and change me into the person You want me to be. I believe Your way is best. I want to trust and obey You in everything I do and say. I want my thoughts to be focused on Jesus, the One who is the source of my faith and the One who strengthens me and gives me all I need each day.

So, I’m pausing to thank and praise You! By Your grace, it is well with my soul. Help me live this day for Your glory. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.

Friend, I’m asking God to bless you today! I’m asking Him to hold you close and surround you with the love of Jesus as He reminds you that in Him … you have everything you need. His promises are true and His mercies are new every morning. He is faithful to keep His promises of hope.

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

Take a moment to subscribe to Counting My Blessings and join more than 7500 of us as we read the New Testament together. We will share short posts every Monday through Friday that you can read each day or save for the weekend. Let’s study God’s Word together!

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I’m so excited to tell you about my new book!

No matter what a busy week may throw your way, God is with you in every moment. Take a breath and find peace in Him with the 52-Week Devotional Journal for Women, a weekly devotional full of Scripture passages, unique insights, and journal prompts. Strengthen and deepen your relationship with God as you focus on faith over the course of the year.
Get your copy here!

Check out our new Facebook Page/Group – #WWGGG – What Would Give God Glory. We’d love for you to join the movement!

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Pray When You Need to be Confident of God’s Goodness

The most common question about faith is "How can I believe in God's goodness when He allows suffering?" When doubts arise it's time to turn to Him in prayer. #Prayer #GodisGood #BibleStudy #Faith #WWGGG #CountingMyBlessings

Do you trust God’s goodness?

We say God is good, but do we really believe it?

I recently shared this on social media…

After you have suffered a little while, [God] will restore, support, and strengthen you.

1 Peter 5:10

And an individual responded by saying … “a load of nonsense.”

I don’t think you or I would say it like that but if we’re honest, we have our doubts. We wonder … God will you let me suffer like this indefinitely? Are you really good?

We want to trust those words God’s goodness completely but sometimes when we’ve prayed and prayed and asked God to help and then we have what seems like an endless wait something happens. Occasionally in the wait, worry is followed by a little doubt and before we know it we’re questioning God’s goodness.

And that’s when I need to pause and ask for His help.

Because I need His Holy Spirit to give me confidence that God’s goodness is personal. I need His help to know God sees me, forgives me, provides for me, and that He has a plan and purpose for my life. I need His Spirit’s help to remind me of His perfect love when I grow impatient in the waiting.

I need the Spirit’s help to know with everything in me that . . . God is good!

Jesus said,

When the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.

John 14:26

That’s what I need … maybe you do too! That reminder of God’s promises of His love and goodness.

So, that’s where I’m going today …. to God’s promises and I’m praying them back to Him because the more turn to Him through His Word and prayer, the more confident I become that He is who He says He is.

I’d love for you to pray with me…

Pray When You Need to be Confident of God’s Goodness

The most common question about faith is "How can I believe in God's goodness when He allows suffering?" When doubts arise it's time to turn to Him in prayer. #Prayer #GodisGood #BibleStudy #Faith #WWGGG #CountingMyBlessings

Everything God made is good. That includes you! 

God looked over all He had made, and He saw that it was very good!

Genesis 1:31

Lord, Everything You make is good. Your Word says, in the beginning, it was very good. And through Your love, You suffered and died to forgive my sins and give freedom to the goodness You created in me. It also says that because of Your goodness and love, You will give me everything I need. maybe not everything I want … but everything I need. Help me believe that, Lord. Help me trust Your promises and give me patience and peace when worry creeps in and doubts arise.

God loves you. Always and perfectly. You are His child. 

The Father has loved us so much that we are called children of God. And we really are His children.

1 John 3:1

Father, You call me your child. I was an orphan, lost and alone and You adopted me. Through Jesus, You made me part of Your family. That defines Your goodness. There is no way to sufficiently thank you.

When I am tempted to focus on my current problems, please help me focus on Your grace, mercy, and love. Help me remember what an awesome blessing it is to be called Your child. You are my Father and You are good. Help me love You with all that I am and by Your grace, help me live each day with the confidence that Your will is always for my good.

God sees and knows everything about you. 

“You are ‘God who sees me,’” because she said to herself, “Have I really seen God who sees me?”

Genesis 16:13

Father, You are the God who sees me. Thank you! Nothing is hidden from you.

Like David, I can say, “You know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord. You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand!” (Psalm 139) And Jesus said, You even know how many hairs there are on my head. (Matthew 10:30)

I can have peace for today and hope for the future when I remember that I am constantly under Your watchful care.

God is good, kind, and merciful to you. 

The Lord is kind and shows mercy. He does not become angry quickly but is full of love. The Lord is good to everyone; He is merciful to all He has made.

Psalm 145:8–9

Father, Your Word tells me You are kind and merciful, patient, and loving.

I want to trust and follow wherever You lead … but I have to admit, I fail. I don’t love You and trust You with all I am. I don’t love my neighbors as I love myself. I get angry. I worry. I procrastinate and I find comfort in things. Please forgive me. I need your merciful goodness. By Your grace, please help me do better. Help me trust Your perfect will for me. Help me faithfully live confident of Your goodness, kindness, mercy, and love.

God is ready and willing to forgive and help you. His perfect love never fails.

O Lord, You are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for Your help.

Psalm 86:5

Father, This promise fills me with hope. You are always ready to forgive those who come to You. You don’t want me to live with the guilt that so often creeps in. You don’t want me weighed down by the past. Your plan for me is a life of freedom through Your goodness and grace.

Through Jesus, You endured my punishment. The price for my sins has been paid. Help me quickly bring my sins to You in repentance, trusting Your promise of unfailing love and forgiveness. Help me live free of doubt and worry … trusting You are faithful to do what You say You will do.

God is your provider. Don’t be afraid or worry. He will meet your every need.

“Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to Him than any birds! Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and He will give you everything you need. So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.”

Luke 12:24, 27, 31–32

Father, You don’t want me to be afraid or worry. You want me to live free of anxiety and doubt. You promise that You will meet every need.

Please forgive me for too often believing my wants are needs. By Your grace help me trust You. Make me satisfied with what You want for me. Help me help others out of the abundance You provide. Be my heart’s desire. With Your help, I will seek Your Kingdom above all else. Help me trust Your goodness without worry or fear.

The most common question about faith is "How can I believe in God's goodness when He allows suffering?" When doubts arise it's time to turn to Him in prayer. #Prayer #GodisGood #BibleStudy #Faith #WWGGG #CountingMyBlessings

God meets every spiritual need and gives you everything you need to live for His glory. 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.

2 Peter 1:2–3

Father, through Your goodness and love You meet every one of my spiritual needs. You make it possible for me to know You. You show me Your will. You hear my prayers. You comfort and strengthen me. You give me hope for the future and the peace I need today.

Thank you. Forgive me for foolishly and selfishly doing things on my own, for thinking my way is better. I’m sorry, Lord. With Your help, I surrender this day to You. I will follow where You lead and trust Your will as You reveal it to me. You are good, Father. May I live today covered by Your grace for Your glory. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen

 God is good!

His love for you and me is personal. He provides for every physical and spiritual need. His unfailing forgiveness is always available. He sees, knows, and cares. He is good.

You and I can be confident of God’s goodness!

And just a quick follow-up to tell about the comment to my social media post. I responded by telling him I was sorry that he felt that way but that based on my experience, God is faithful to restore support and strengthen when we need Him.

That began a dialogue where I’ve been able to share my testimony and tell him why I believe in God’s goodness.

I’m so thankful that when I begin to doubt … His Spirit draws me back through the truth of God’s promises.

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

Take a moment to subscribe to Counting My Blessings and join more than 7500 of us as we read the New Testament together. We will share short posts every Monday through Friday that you can read each day or save for the weekend. Let’s study God’s Word together!

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

You can also…

Leave your prayer requests…

and stop to pray one or two of the requests listed.

I’m so excited to tell you about my new book!

No matter what a busy week may throw your way, God is with you in every moment. Take a breath and find peace in Him with the 52-Week Devotional Journal for Women, a weekly devotional full of Scripture passages, unique insights, and journal prompts. Strengthen and deepen your relationship with God as you focus on faith over the course of the year.
Get your copy here!

Check out our new Facebook Page/Group – #WWGGG – What Would Give God Glory. We’d love for you to join the movement!

And always remember – I LOVE hearing from you! So, please take a minute to say ‘hi’ by leaving a comment. 

If this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Send it to a friend, family member, coworker, or share it through the links below…

I’m asking God to bless you today!