Tag: #prayer

The Gift of Prayer

The Season of Gift-Giving: Gifts That Nourish

Gift Idea #2: A Prayer Scroll

What better gift to give than a prayer?

Let’s bless someone with a prayer.
Let’s pray for one another.
Let’s lift someone up in prayer.
Let’s offer a handwritten prayer on a scroll – a whisper of kindness, faith in humanity, and a sacred belonging.

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’— Isaiah 30:21

Prayers are sacred. They anchor us in grace. They speak to the soul. And a prayer scroll carries a certain reverence.
It invites unrolling.
Slowly.
With care.

Prayers remind us all that:

We are loved.
We belong.
We are not alone.

Materials:

  • Strip of parchment, kraft paper, or cardstock (approx. 3–4 inches wide, 8–12 inches long)
  • Pen or printed prayer
  • Ribbon, twine, or wax seal
  • Optional: pressed flower, small charm, or sprig of rosemary/lavender

Instructions:

  1. Write or print a short prayer (see example below).
  2. Roll the paper gently into a scroll.
  3. Tie with ribbon or twine.
  4. Add a tag: “A prayer for you. Unroll when you need peace.”

Sample Prayer

Creator God,

Bless (name of person) as they walk through this season. Help them to feel your presence.
Be their rest.
Be their guide.
Be their comfort.
Be their hope.
You are with them.
You are for them.
Let (name of person) know they are enough.
And their presence is Your gift to the world.

Amen.

Let this gift be a blessing.
A balm.
A sacred whisper that says, “You are loved.”

This gift is more than paper. It soothes the soul and breathes life back into us. A sacred whisper for the road ahead.

Let’s Offer the Gift of Prayer
to Ourselves & to Others

Image Credit: “scrolls” by Hc_07 is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0. 

#Prayer #GiftsThatNourish #Faith #SacredGifts #GiftsThatMatter #Gifts OfHope #PresenceInThePrsents #MeaningfulGifts #SoulGifts #Holidays

January is for Joy – Part 5

Joy in the Journey

How often have we been so focused on reaching a goal that we missed the little joys along the way?

So far, in our January is for Joy series, we have explored:

Joy in New Beginnings
Joy in The Present
Joy in the Deeper Meaning of Life
Joy in Relationships

If any of these were missed, now would be a great time to check them out. Each one is a quick two-minute read.

To recap, we’ve learned to jot down daily joys, ground ourselves with the five senses, connect spiritually through prayer, and cultivate joy through kindness and presence. Today, as we wrap up the series, let’s discuss finding joy in the journey.

Think about a road trip to the mountains. It’s a two-hour drive, but along the way, there’s an antique store that catches our eye. We could rush to our destination or stop, browse, and maybe find a hidden treasure.

Which choice brings more joy?

The adventure itself.
Each step forward. (And even backward, at times.)
Every small victory.
The lessons learned along the way.

James 1:2-4 reminds us,

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

Stepping Stones

James says triumphs and trials are opportunities to shape our character and draw us closer to God. We can now see our experiences as stepping stones toward more joy. Wow! That is good news.

Here are a few simple ways to nurture joy:

* Celebrate small milestones – progress is progress, no matter how small.
* Be curious and open-hearted – view each new experience as an opportunity to learn.
* Reframe setbacks—treat them as stepping stones that build resilience and grace.
* Savor the process—reflect daily on the moments that make the journey meaningful.

This January, let’s take a moment to find the joy in our journey. It’s easy. Grab a journal each evening, and write down one moment that brought joy. It could be an act of kindness, a lesson learned, or a small win. It may even set us up for a year of abundant blessings.

Remember, joy isn’t just found at the end of the road. It is in every twist and turn along the way.

So, let the joy of new beginnings warm your heart. Let it fill you with hope and inspire you to embrace the journey, one moment at a time.

#January #Joy #NewBeginnings #BeinthePresent #TheDeeperMeaningofLife #Relationships #Journey #LifeJourney

Penny and the Polarization of a Country

A little story about a girl named Penny.

Penny is hardly described as a political person, which is ironic since she holds a master’s degree in public administration. She took several government courses and found them interesting at the time. But that is another story.

Today, Penny wants to write about how she is dealing with the polarization of political views where she lives. It could be scary to some.

An Alien in a Foreign Land

Yet, for Penny…She is not of this world. She is an alien in a foreign land. At least, that is how she has felt since the day she was born.

Penny’s hope is in her faith.
Her faith drives her to calmness.
To hopefulness.
To gratitude.

How Awesome is the Universe?

She can’t imagine how any human can question how the universe was formed. It didn’t just happen. Did it?

Penny spent many waking hours wondering how the universe was formed. How the stars got to be in the sky, and why the sun doesn’t fall out of the sky.

For Penny, the universe is how it is. It is awesome, as is nature itself.

Penny had a few experiences that made her think twice about coincidences.
Like when she was in a car accident, and the car flipped over three times. She and her two friends walked away with minor scrapes and bruises.

Or when she had $3 and change and didn’t know how she would buy groceries. She had to decide: “Do I pay my bills or eat?” Then, a $200 check arrived in the mail, which was the exact amount to cover the difference between her inflows and outflows. For two years! The check came each month, and she could buy fresh food for dinner for her and her youngest child. Her older child chose to live with his father and not speak to her for over a decade.

So, you may ask, how could Penny have faith when her kid didn’t talk to her?

Or that her marriage failed her after repeatedly praying that it wouldn’t?

Good questions!

Life is Funny

Life is funny that way.

It doesn’t always go the way you expected. And there lies the rub.

Penny believes we must place our whole selves into the hands of our Creator and follow the inner voice in our hearts. It’s pretty simple. Although it took her a long time to figure it out.

Penny’s prayer went like this in 2015:
“Almighty God, I have tried to find a job to no avail. I fully surrender to your will. I will expand my job search to a national level and go where you lead.”

A few months later, she was on her way to a foreign land. (the midwest)

Now, let’s get back to the day at hand. The day after the Election of 2024.

Just like any other day. A day where Penny will put her trust in the Almighty God and go where she is led.

Today, her prayer is:
“Almighty Creator of the Universe, You define the trajectory of the world. I fully surrender to your will. I will go where you lead. I trust you will give me the strength and energy for what lies ahead.”

What is your prayer today?

#Polarization #Election 2024 #Faith #Prayer

I and Thou: Prayer for Healing

Image: Galactic Sunrise Source: alphacoders.com

Divine Healer,
You are a mighty God,
Who streams a mighty arch of colors across the sky.
You are a mighty God,
Who stirs the mighty pot of gold.
You are a mighty God,
Who directs the radiant sun to rise and fall.
As you do, the countless stars to shine.
[pause]


You are a mighty God,
Who rises from the grave,
To bring us love and life.
You are a mighty God,
Who feeds the thousands with five loaves and two fish.
You are a mighty God,
Who goes after the one lost sheep.
[pause]


You are a mighty God,
Who knows what lives within the sanctum of our weary hearts.
You are a mighty God,
Who heals the broken-hearted, no matter how broken we are.
[pause]


You are a mighty God,
We ask you for divine healing.
Healing for our children.
Healing for our families.
Healing for ourselves.
Healing for others.
Healing for our country.
Healing for the world.
O Divine Healer,
Heal us, we pray.
Amen

#Healing #MightyGod #Prayer #PrayerforHealing

I and Thou – December Prayer

A Prayer for December

Dear Lord,

As we enter the traditional holiday season of yuletide celebration, we are reminded of our holidays of yesteryear. May we honor and bless these memories in our hearts forever and forge new and different memories of love, joy, and peace.

We are grateful for the abundant love and light you have given us in this season of giving. From the lighting of the candles of Hanukkah burning bright, the newborn babe in the Christmas manger bringing light to the world, to the candles of Kwanza producing identity, purpose, and direction. Let us, with one voice, proclaim love. The love of our Creator. The love inside each and every one of us – and may this love be given to others. Others who want to accept our free gift.

Bowing our heads in deep reverence or lifting our heads up high to the heavens, we humbly ask for more comfort and joy this holiday season.

May you pour your blessings on us all and grant us extra peace.

Amen

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Image Source: https://wallpaperaccess.com/abstract-holiday