MORNING PRAYER TIME
Though I am not always able to spend time praying outdoors in the morning, I do enjoy enjoy it. Being out in nature is always refreshing to me. Morning prayer time can be a very special time. This morning I sat outside at the picnic table on the porch. There was a breeze that sometimes made me shiver as it was unusually cool for the middle of May.
The sun was shining brightly in the clear blue sky, and I could hear birds singing. Occasionally our rooster would crow loudly while the hens made clucking noises, probably letting the world know an egg had been produced.
MORNING PRAYER TIME THINKING, WRITING AND LISTENING
I did a lot of thinking, praying and writing while enjoying the sights and sounds of the outdoors. My prayer journal includes scriptures on every page, and sometimes they inspire my prayers as I intercede for those close to me. I long for all my family to embrace the love that God holds out to us.
One of the scripture passages was 2 Corinthians 4:18.
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
That verse struck me as I gazed on the beauty around me. All that I see will one day be gone. Right now we live with a sort of tension, because we have life and death existing side by side, beauty and ugliness side by side as illustrated by this honeysuckle bloom. It is alive and full of beauty, but right next to it are the dry, brown remains of dead blossoms.
One day all that will change. There will be a new heaven and a new earth. Christ returns and restores everything to perfection. He makes our broken bodies whole. We will spend eternity in God’s presence all because of love. Jesus demonstrated that love when He conquered death. He now intercedes for us.
I Corinthians 2:9 tells us:
What no eye has seen, no ear has heard,
and no human heart has conceived—
God has prepared these things for those who love him.
I ended my prayer time with intercession for family members who have various physical limitations and struggles. They are real and sometimes seem insurmountable. It’s almost impossible for them to imagine a time when they will be free of pain and the heartache that goes with it. It is hard for me to see them struggle.
But my faith is strong and I pray God will shower us with his grace. I pray for strength and wisdom and I will trust God with our lives.
I will remember Psalm 18:2-3:
The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer. I call upon the Lord who is worthy to be praised.
After praying I read a devotion in the NIV Bible for Women that reminded me to have a grateful heart no matter the circumstances.
May God himself, the God of peace,
sanctify you through and through.
May your whole spirit, soul and body
be kept blameless at the coming
of our Lord Jesus Christ.
I pray that God will bless you and go with you this week wherever you are and whatever you have to face. Remember you are not alone.
I’m linking up with:
#GiveMeGrace, #UsCoffeeandJesus, #LMMLinkup, #IntentionalTuesday, #RaRaLinkup, #TestimonyTuesday, #TellHisStory, #CoffeeforYourHeart
What fun to share a quiet moment of devotional richness with you in your lovely surroundings!
Blessed week to you, Gayl!
Thank you, Michele! I hope one day we can share a moment in person. 🙂 Blessings to you!
WOW!!! This is homely, serene!!!
Just yesterday I was on the old blog and Woahala !!! I am here to see this clean and adorable space!
So good to connect here.
Hugs and Loads of Blessings to you Gayl
Ifeoma, thank you so much for your encouraging words!! I’m glad you like my new space. 🙂 Hugs and Loads of Blessings right back to you, Ifeoma! xo
What a beautiful place to enjoy the Lord! I love being outside for my quiet times. I love your picture of the honeysuckle blossoms. A beautiful visual of the tension you described. Thanks so much for sharing this with us! I’m blessed!
Yes, there’s just something about being outside, seeing the trees, the open sky and listening to the sounds… I love it! Thank you for your lovely comments, Dianne. I’m glad you were blessed! xo
I love your approach for morning – a beautiful way to start the day. It’s easy for me to miss what is unseen, acknowledging that God is working daily in my life. He orders my footsteps and has a plan for everything. Even when mistakes are made, he works things together for good. Have a wonderful day today and keep looking up!
Thank you, Nancy. Yes, God works all for good and much of it behind the scenes, or at least where we can’t see. 🙂 I appreciate your encouraging comments. Blessings to you!
I felt soothed by being in your little sanctuary. A real oasis of peace and solace for weary souls! Lovely reflection, Gayl. May God bless you abundantly as you spend time with Him, meditating on your porch and penning thoughts. Wish I could be there with you! Blessings. 🙂 x
Thank you for being here, Joy! I’m glad you were soothed. It would be an honor if you could spend some time here with me. 🙂 Blessings to you! xo
I’m taking you up on that offer, Gayl, because I’ve just subscribed to spend more time here with you! Blessings Xx 🙂
Oh, I’m so glad, Joy! Thank you. Many blessings to you! xo
Very lovely, Gayl. Thanks for sharing your new page and your heart.
Thank you, Kelly! I appreciate your kind words. Blessings to you!
what a beautiful timeless prayer and reflection and such a gift to me today, lifting me out of the mundane and the worldly concerns to remember the truth that sets us free, and the new life in Christ through eternity! Blessings! I also read your son’s blog this week and commented. His faith is so bold within his vulnerability, such a blessing.
Thank you, Kathy. I’m so glad you were encouraged here. We are truly blessed in Christ and have a future to look forward to while also experiencing His presence here on earth. Thank you, too, for commenting on my son’s blog. I know he appreciated it. Many blessings to you! Have a great week!
Love the new look, Gayl! Thank you for sharing your quiet time thoughts and prayers. It’s such a blessing to know His peace through the fellowship of a sweet sister like you! Have a blessed week!
Thank you, June! I’m glad you like it. 🙂 Thank you for your sweet comments. Blessings to you! xo
Lovely thoughts! Thank you for sharing your faith and heart with us Gayl! May God continue to strengthen you in your faith and use you to be a blessing to those around you and those you are able to reach all over the world through the social media.
Thank you, Deon, for your encouraging comments. Your family is special to us and always will be. We are so glad we are seeing more of each other. Many blessings to you and yours!
Wow… I love this so much, Gayl! Praying with you!
Thank you so much, Karrilee! I’m glad you like it and happy to have you visit. Blessings to you, sister! xo
Never say amen! Love the new site.
Thank you, Susan, for your continued support and friendship. Blessings to you, sister! xo