The Setback

Sister, setbacks happen. A mistake is made. A heart is broken. Disappointment weighs heavy. Regret is haunting. At some point, something difficult is going to come our way. Jesus told us that in this world we will have trouble (John 16:33). I don’t know what burden you feel today, but there is hope. He also reminds us He has overcome the world (John 16:33).  For believers, the comeback is guaranteed to be greater than the setback. He has orchestrated the greatest comebacks in history, and He is the author of yours. 

The Comeback

Paul’s story began as a man who persecuted, tortured, and punished followers of Christ. That all changed when he had a life-altering encounter with the Holy Spirit. In his comeback, Paul became one of the most influential missionaries in the Bible as he relentlessly spread the gospel on his journeys. His story shows us we are never too far gone to be rescued and used for great work. 

David was a king chosen by God because He saw the goodness of David’s heart. He was a human king with promise and possibility. In a moment of weakness, David committed the sin of adultery and ultimately caused the death of a man in his attempt to cover up his failure. David’s reaction to his sin was repentance and humility. His story is one of redemption and praise. Not only did God redeem David, but He also kept his promise to people through David. Jesus is a descendant of David. A human king’s redemption story gave our world the one, true King. 

Your Story

Sister, you are as precious to God and as loved by Him as Paul and David were. Comebacks don’t stop in the Bible. He can use anything for your good, and I want you to know He is always working for you. He will make a way where there is no way. If you’re in a season that has you down, I pray you have the hope of knowing you will get up. And when you stand up it will be with a strength you will carry inside of you forever. His hand is there, sister. Take it. 

God,

Thank you for your love for me and for your desire to give me rest. Thank you for commanding the Sabbath. Lord, search my heart and reveal anything I place above you and your will. Grant me the discernment to know when I need to relinquish the power something has on my time and attention, so I can spend time being still to know you more. I pray you grant me the wisdom to know my limits and for your authority to tell me when it’s time to pause. Lord, I pray that I seek first your kingdom. May all that I do be done in your name and for your glory. Thank you for your desire to fulfill the desires of my heart when it is surrendered to your will.

Amen.

Thank you, God, for the blessing of ________.

You, Lord, are his/her refuge and fortress. I pray he/she always comes to you in times of fear, anxiety, or uncertainty. I trust you to protect him/her. I pray that his/her heart and spirit remains faithful to you. I pray that he/she walks in your truth, knowing you made him/her for your good works. I pray that he/she keeps your commands and confidently follows the path you have set for him/her. Guide me to teach him/her your ways, leading him/her to understand the gift of salvation and modeling that love endures all things.

Amen.

God,

Thank you for loving me. Thank you for loving me so much that you sent your son into a broken world to save me. Lord, I ask forgiveness for times I have let anger or bitterness or jealousy keep me from loving someone as you have commanded me to do. I ask for you to keep in me a spirit of kindness and for my actions to be guided by love. Help me be genuine and hold fast to your promises and all that is good. Lord, I ask this for myself, and I ask this for our country and our world. Fill our thoughts, our hearts, our words, and our actions with love. Let others see your love shine through us, and may this love bring healing and hope.

Amen

God,

Thank you for your word that promises you are close to the broken-hearted and those whose spirits are crushed. Lord, I know you are near to me now. The weight of my loss and grief is too heavy, too crushing for me to bear. I ask for strength to breathe, to move, to make it through today. And then again tomorrow. And again. Keep in my heart the truth that the lows of today will not compare to the glory I will face when all things are restored, when all pain and sorrow are no more. I pray this hope in things unseen lifts me up each day. Heal my heart as only you can.

Amen.

Imagine you’re sitting across from a close friend, your most trusted confidant. You’re opening your heart to her and sharing a current struggle in your life. This is a comfortable conversation because you know she’ll listen, and she’s loyal. You have no fear of judgment, no hesitancy to disclose it all. As you confide in her, your burden already starts to feel a little lighter because now you’re not in this struggle alone. Your friend is there with you and for you. 

Now I want you to think about your last prayer. How do your conversations with God feel right now? I have closed my eyes to pray before and not had the words to say. I know my God knows my heart. In moments of despair, scripture tells us we don’t always need words for our pain. “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words” (Romans 8:26, English Standard Version). Sister, I am so thankful that in our darkest moments we don’t need perfect words to find the light.

Even with this reassurance, I longed for my everyday day prayer practice to feel natural, comfortable, and close. A dear friend shared Priscilla Shirer’s book, Fervent, with me; through it, I learned how to write my prayers and find my prayer voice. Today, I’ll share those four steps with you. 

1. Start with thankfulness. In all things God is good. Enter your prayers with a spirit of gratitude. 
2. Ask for forgiveness. Recognize each day is an opportunity to surrender control of how you think something should work itself out. Walking in His way means giving up my way. 
3. Make your requests known. Let God know what’s weighing heavy on your heart and in your mind. 
4. Believe His word is truth. Adding God’s word to your prayers is a way to pray boldly and with the confidence of a believer. 

With this strategy, I am building a prayer library. I invite you to join me. Each prayer you write brings more ease and honesty into your conversations with the One who loves you the most. He is near to you when you seek Him with all your heart, and you can trust Him with it. Sister, get a notebook or index cards, and lay your burdens down. There is power and freedom and light waiting for you. 

Each day this week, I’m taking your requests and sharing a prayer using the strategy from Fervent. Here is a prayer for your anxiety:

God, 

Thank you for caring for me and being close to me when I feel overwhelmed and anxious. I know there are times I try to carry my burdens alone, but that is not what you want me to do. Lord, I ask that you help me to remember to give it all to you. You know my worry. You know the reason for my unease. I come to you for peace. Lord, settle my heart and my mind. Fill me with your Spirit that reassures me and comforts me. You say I am to cast all my worries and cares to you, and I’m here to do just that. Thank you for carrying it for me. I trust you with it and may your will be done today and always. 

Amen.

Have you ever looked into the mirror and the first thought you have is about what you don’t like about yourself? I know what it feels like to look at the reflection and to be bombarded with a stream of negative thoughts. I have said things to myself I would never dream of saying to anyone else. Sister, the kindness and love and compassion you share with those around you? You need to give it to yourself, too. Whether it’s when you’re looking in the mirror, getting dressed for the day, or scrolling through social media, it’s time to face the negativity and call it out for what it is—a lie. You can replace the cycle of cruelty with love and confidence and hope.  There is nothing stronger than truth to combat a lie, so let’s look at the truth about who you are. 

You are loved. (Romans 5:8)

But God shows his love for us in that while we were sinners, Christ died for us. 

You are the daughter of a King. (1 John 3:1)

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. 

You are strong. (Psalm 18:35)

You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your right hand supported me, and your gentleness made me great. 

You are chosen. (Ephesians 2:10)

We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. 

You are beautiful. (Psalm 139:14)

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.

Once you know and believe the truth about who you are and how you were created with purpose and intention, you won’t look at yourself the same. These truths become the new script that plays in your mind. I spent more years than I’d like to count allowing the lies to dominate what I saw when I looked into the mirror. It takes time to retrain your brain and your heart, but you can do it. Here are the steps I took that helped me break the cycle and embrace the love meant for me. It’s meant for you, too. Start today. 

1. Become aware of your thoughts. Notice when a negative thought about yourself enters your mind. You will begin to notice trends in your thoughts. The more you are aware, the better prepared you will be to stop it. 
2. Take one of the truths above (or several) and memorize them. Say them aloud, write them down, and place them somewhere you will see them frequently. 
3. Every time you think something about yourself that contradicts a truth you have learned, immediately refer to what you’ve written down and memorized. Make the truth your new thought. 

The more you follow these steps, you will notice the trend of your thoughts shifting toward positivity. Have hope today that you can walk in truth and shine the light God made you for. 

A Prayer for Identity

Thank you, God, for the truth found in your Word. You have given me this truth to battle the lies that threaten to lead me away from You. Forgive me when I have allowed insecurity, comparison, and unkindness to enter my thoughts. I pray to be filled with your Spirit and to be reminded of the truth of who I am. I am Yours. Lord, use your Word to protect me with the armor of truth. I pray Your light always breaks through any darkness I am in. You have made me for your good works. Use me today and every day. Amen. 

I know what it’s like to be staring at a dream and wondering, what if I can’t do this? Sister, I have felt both excitement and fear when starting down the path that leads toward a goal. I have at once experienced the thrill of expectation and hope only to soon be overwhelmed with doubts and insecurities. When I feel an idea or goal forming in my mind, I start with prayer. I ask God to reveal His will. I have learned that the dreams I have on my heart and in my mind are very often placed there by Him. I don’t know what dream has been placed in your heart today, but it likely has you asking yourself some questions. How do you shift from fear to confidence? Even when you feel you’re being called to take action, how do you overcome doubt? Let’s look at three truths about our steps and our path to empower us to move forward. 

1. Your steps have been placed on a secure path. 

Psalm 17: My steps have held fast to your paths; my feet have not slipped.

Your steps are directed by God. Your path represents His plan for you, and He has placed you on a firm foundation. 

2. Your steps are meant to be steady and light. 

Psalm 18: He made my feet like the feet of a deer and set me secure on the heights. 

Fear will make you feel as if your feet are heavy. God designed your feet and your steps to be light, graceful, and easy. Imagine a deer moving across a field effortlessly. When you are close to God and listening to His will for you, your steps will be made light. 

3. Your steps are victorious. 

Psalm 40: He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. 

God empowers us to do what may at first feel impossible. Doubt, insecurity, and fear are liars, sister. The truth is that you were made to be victorious. God places our enemies under our feet. Those doubts that creep into your mind? You were designed to stomp right over them on the way to what you’ve been made for. 

I know there’s a path in front of you. And when you take a look at what lies ahead, take those first steps with confidence. Your path is on a firm foundation. Trust Him with His plan for you, and your feet will not slip. When you are walking the path He has designed, your steps will feel light and graceful. You were not given a spirit of fear. Place those fears under your feet and crush them with each step you take forward. Your path is meant for you. Go ahead, take your step.