Friday, October 31, 2008

Prayer: A Turn of Affairs




O Lord, may Your counsel stand forever,



The plans of Your heart for all generations.



I know not how or what to pray...



My soul waits for You.



You alone are my Help and Shield;



My heart is glad in You.



I trust in Your holy Name.



Let Your steadfast love be upon us, O Lord,



Even as we hope in You.






1 Kings 12.15; Psalm 33.11, 20-22



Thursday, October 30, 2008

Prayer: Instruct Me In the Way I Should Go

O Lord God, instruct me and teach me in the way I should go


Counsel me with Your eye ever upon me


I trust in You


Surround me with your steadfast love, O my Beloved




Psalm 32.8, 10

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Prayer: My Times Are In Your Hands


You are my Rock and my Fortress

For Your Name's sake You lead me and guide me

I trust in You, my God and King

My times are in Your hands


Psalm 31.3, 14; Jeremiah 40.4

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Prayer: In Your Favor is Life


O Lord God, in Your favor is life

I cried to You for help and You healed me

I sing praises to You

I give thanks to Your holy Name, YHVH

You have turned for me my mourning into dancing

You have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness

May my glory sing Your praise and not be silent

O Lord, my God, I will give thanks to You forever

May I rest in my labors

And may my deeds follow me


Psalm 30.2, 4, 11-12; Revelation 14.4, 13

Monday, October 27, 2008

Prayer: As Each Day Requires


O Lord God, Great in power and mighty in deed

Maintain the cause of Your servant and the cause of Your people, Israel

As each day requires

So all the people of the earth may know that You are the Lord God and there is no other

Grant strength to Your people

Bless Your people with peace

May we be obedient to Your voice

Grant endurance and faith to Your saints


I Kings 8.59-61; Psalm 29.11; Rev. 13.10

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Prayer: My Strength & Shield


O Lord, You are my strength and shield

In You my heart trusts and I am helped

My heart exults

With song I give thanks to You

You are my strength

You are the saving refuge of Your anointed

O Lord, save

O Lord, bless Your heritage

O Lord, be my Shepherd and carry me forever


Psalm 28.7-9


Saturday, October 25, 2008

Prayer: Hidden


O Lord, establish Your Word with me

Your face, O Lord, do I seek

I long to dwell in Your house and meditate in Your presence

O Lord, be gracious to me and answer me

Turn not away from this Your servant

I wait, O Lord, for You

Let my heart take courage in You

Hide me in the palm of Your hand

Let Your Kingdom come

Reign, O Lord, in me


I Kings 6.12; Psalm 27.4, 7-9, 14; Jeremiah 36.26; Revelation 11.15

Friday, October 24, 2008

Prayer: Open My Ear to Your Instruction


Thank You, O Lord, for giving me rest on every side

Redeem me and be gracious to me

Open my ear to receive instruction and to listen to Your Word


Psalm 26.11; Jeremiah 35.13

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Prayer: Remember Steadfast Love


O Lord, grant wisdom and understanding beyond measure

Grant breadth of mind like the sand on the seashore

To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul

O my God, in You I trust

Let me not be put to shame

Let not my enemies exult over me

I wait for You, O my Lord and King

Make me to know Your paths

Teach me Your paths, O Lord

Lead me in Your truth and teach me

For You are the God of my salvation

For You, O Lord, I wait all day long

Remember Your mercy, O Lord and Your steadfast love, for they have been from of old

Pour them out liberally on this Your servant


1 Kings 4.29; Psalm 25.1-6

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Prayer: Cataclysmic Change


Ah, Lord God, creator of heaven and earth and all who is in it

I call to You and ask of You

Grant Your servant an understanding mind

Grant the wisdom of God so that I may do justice

Tell me great and hidden things that I have not known

Bring health and healing

Bring abundance of prosperity and security

Lift up this prayer of Your servant with the smoke of the incense from Your altar

Create, O Lord of Hosts, cataclysmic change


1 Kings 3. 9, 11-12, 28; Psalm 24.1; Jeremiah 33.2-3, 6; Revelation 8.4

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Prayer: Shepherd of My Soul


Ah, Lord God, Shepherd of my Soul

Lead me beside waters of rest and restore my soul

Make me strong for Your service

Teach me to walk in Your ways and Your statutes, in Your rules and Your testimonies

Make me to prosper in all that I do and wherever I turn

For You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm

Nothing is too difficult for You

O Great and mighty God, Lord of Hosts

You are great in counsel and mighty in deed

Your eyes are open to all

You sit on the throne and shelter me with Your presence

You are my Shepherd

Guide me to springs of Living Water and wipe away all tears


Psalm 23.2, Jeremiah 32.17-19, Revelation 7. 15-17

Monday, October 20, 2008

Prayer: Replenish My Languishing Soul


O Lord, thank You for loving me with an Everlasting Love

Thank You for Your continued faithfulness

Thank You for redeeming my soul out of every adversity

Thank You for turning my mourning into joy

Thank You for comforting me and giving me gladness for sorrow

Thank You for allowing me to feast on Your abundance and satisfying me with Your goodness

Thank You for rewarding me for my work

O Lord, satisfy my weary soul

Replenish my languishing soul

In the midst of the congregation I will give thanks and praise You


Psalm 22.22; Jeremiah 31.3,13-14, 16, 25

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Prayer: Prayers & Incense


O Lord, I will not offer to You that which has cost me nothing.

I offer You my life.

Make me a source of blessing to others.

You make me glad with the joy of Your Presence.

I trust in You.

In the steadfast love of the Lord, I will not be moved.

Restore health to me, O Gracious Redeemer.

Heal all my wounds.

Let this prayer rise as incense before You.

May I become one of Your Kingdom of priests.


2 Samuel 24.24-25; Psalm 21.6-7; Revelation 5.8,10

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Prayer of Thanks


Thank You, O Lord, for Your Spirit.

Thank You, O Lord, for Your Word.

Thank You, O Lord for speaking by Your Spirit through me.

Thank You for placing Your Word on my tongue.

Thank You for Your everlasting covenant.

Thank You for ordering all things and holding me securely in Your will.

Thank You for granting my heart's desire and fulfilling all things.

I trust in You, O Lord and stand upright.

Thank You for declaring Your Plan.

Thank You for a future and a hope and peace.

Thank You for allowing me to be in relationship with You.

Pour out Your Spirit upon me, O Lord.


2 Samuel 23.2,5; Psalm 20. 4, 7-8, Jeremiah 29.11-13; Revelation 4.2

Friday, October 17, 2008

Prayer: A Broad Place


O Lord, You are my support.

You have brought me out into a broad place.

You rescued me because You delighted in me.

I humbly come before You, O Lord God Almighty.

Be my lamp and lighten my darkness.

Lead me in the Way everlasting.

The heavens declare Your glory, O God.

The full moon throws its light on the earth and declares Your handiwork.

The pure reflection of moonlight upon the ocean declares Your wonder and inspires awe.

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Open the door before me and let no one shut it.

I have but little power at this point, but I have not denied Your name and I have kept Your Word


2 Samuel 22.19-22; 26-31; Psalm 19.1,14; Jeremiah 28.15; Rev. 3.8

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Musing: In Dark Clouds


...He came swiftly on the wings of the wind.

He made darkness His covering, His canopy around Him, thick clouds dark with water.

Psalm 18.11-12



In 1999, I began to experience unexplained physical difficulties. This led to the University of Michigan Health System where I went through several months of testing with cardiologists, pulmonologists, and neurologists to reach a diagnosis. The end result was the diagnosis of a rare form of muscular dystrophy, called mitochondrial enzyme deficiency. I was told that the disease will eventually cause all my muscles to fail. It was for me a period of darkness and thick clouds.



While awaiting the results of a muscle biopsy, my husband very wisely decided on a trip to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to Tahquamenon Falls. The falls are the largest falls east of the Mississippi, dropping about 50 feet and stretching nearly 200 feet across an amber, foaming river. In October, the trees are ablaze with fall color and the river is pure gold. I learned that the amber color of the water is caused by tannins leached from the cedar, spruce and hemlock in the swamps drained by the river. The state parks of Michigan have a wonderful visitor center there, with paths leading down to the falls, and then a large viewing platform built out over the falls. It sounds quite benign, but the viewing platform is several levels and can hold hundreds of people. To get to the viewing platform, there are 130 stairs. I knew I was having difficulty with some physical tasks, but hadn't yet learned all about this new disease. I knew I could go down stairs forever without any problem. Coming back up, I was soon to learn was a big problem!



After spending quite some time on the viewing platform, marveling at fall colors, the beautiful amber river, the amazing creativity of God, it was time to head back up the stairs. I got about one-third of the way up and began to have serious difficulty. My heart rate soared, it started skipping beats, I couldn't catch my breath, my muscles overheated causing my glasses to fog up, my muscles began to spasm, I was sweating profusely. Crowds were going up and down the stairs, so there was no stopping, but I couldn't get up by myself. My husband recognized my distress, grabbed my arm and assisted me as best he could to the top of the stairs. We finally reached the top and I was in real distress by that time. Fortunately there was a bench located just a few feet away from the stairs. We sat down and allowed my heart to calm down and my breathing to return to normal. It took a good half hour. During that time, people were coming up the stairs, laughing, carrying on normal conversations, and heading back down the path. To make matters even more insulting, most of those people were much older than I. Ugh!



Once I recovered, I decided we needed to go to the Lower Tahquamenon Falls before returning to our cabin. My husband was not excited by that prospect at all; he wanted to head right back to the cabin. I had scared him to death! I convinced him that I was fine, it was called the "lower" falls so there probably wouldn't be any stairs. We had driven over eight hours to see the falls, and I didn't want to miss this opportunity. We drove to the lower falls, walked the trail and sure enough there was another viewing platform with a steep set of stairs. I told my husband to head on down to view the falls and that I would just continue to walk the path.



As I headed up the path, I started to cry. I hated this new restriction on my activity. I could see all kinds of things in my life changing -- and not for the better! I was frustrated by the rebellion of my muscles. I was angry at my God who knit me together in my mother's womb and knew all about me. This didn't seem like the abundant life I had been promised at all! It was a dense, dark section on the the trail I had taken, as well as in my faith journey.



Earlier that morning, during my daily quiet time, I read three different passages of scripture: The first chapter of Psalms, a chapter in Ezekiel, and a chapter from Revelation. What was strange, seemingly coincidental, was the fact that each chapter talked about a river with trees planted beside it, whose leaf did not wither or fade, and in due time it would bring healing to the nations. As I walked along, crying, fussing at God, I began to notice the huge boulders beside the river. Growing out of the boulders were trees with amazing root systems clinging around the boulders and reaching down into the river. The trees soared 75-100 feet or more in the air.

As I stopped and took in the scene, scriptures came flooding back into my mind. I heard God distinctly say, "Susan, I know you are in a hard place right now. I know it seems incredibly rocky. But...if you will trust Me even in this, you will be like a tree planted by rivers of living water, and your leaf will not wither or fade, and you will bring healing to the nations." I was overwhelmed. God had come to me in the midst of dark clouds and thick darkness. I entered a little clearing and the colors began to blaze around me. The amber water was stunning. I decided to sink my roots down deep and become a tree planted by rivers of living water. Life has never been the same. Do I still struggle physically? Every day. However, I choose each day to sink my roots down deep and depend on my God who comes even in darkness and deep clouds.

Prayer: Weariness


Lord God, I am weary.

Thank You for reminding me that You see my works, my toil, my love and faith, and my patient endurance.

You, O God, light my lamp.

You, O Lord, lighten my darkness.

Your way, O Lord, is perfect.

I take refuge in You; be a shield about me, be the lifter of my head.

The Lord lives, and blessed be the Rock, and may the God of my salvation be exalted.

You, O Lord, are sovereign.

I respect Your judgment and that which comes from Your hand.


2 Samuel 21.15; Psalm 18.28, 30, 46; Jeremiah 27.5; Revelation 2.2, 19

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Prayer: Distinguished


Lord God, turn my heart toward peace.

May I be peaceable and faithful.

Distinguish me by Your steadfast love.

I seek refuge from my adversaries at Your right hand.

Keep me as the apple of Your eye.

Hide me in the shadow of Your wings.

Grant me the patient endurance that is in Christ.


2 Samuel 20.19; Psalm 19.7-8; Revelation 1.9

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Prayer: Sum & Substance


Ah, Lord God, it is not too difficult to observe what is happening on the world stage and have the word "disaster" come quickly to mind. May we come to know that our worth is not in the sum and substance of our "stuff". May I call to mind that You are my chosen portion and my cup. O Lord, You hold my lot; the lines for me have fallen in pleasant places. Indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. May I have mercy on those who doubt, who are tossed like the wild waves of the sea.


Psalm 16.5-6; Jeremiah 25.32; Jude 22

Monday, October 13, 2008

Prayer: Come What May...


O Lord, come what may, let me also run.

Let me sojourn in Your tent, O Lord.

Let me dwell on Your holy hill.

May I walk blamelessly and do what is right, speaking truth in my heart.

Set Your eyes on me for good.

Build me up and do not tear me down.

Grant me a heart to know that You are Lord.

May I be called one of Your people.

O Lord, be my God; I return to You with my whole heart.

May I send others on their journey in a manner worthy of You.

May I be willing to go out for the sake of Your name.

Come what may...I will run.


2 Samuel 18.22; Psalm 15.1-2; Jeremiah 24.6-7; 3 John 6-7

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Prayer: Set Me As A Shepherd


Lord God, I seek after You; I seek to see as You see. May my eyes be opened to those who are hungry and weary and thirsty in the wilderness. Set me as a shepherd over Your people to care for them. May I fear no more nor be dismayed. Bring back all who are missing, O Lord. You alone are my righteousness. I stand in Your council to see and hear Your Word; open my eyes and my ears. Grant clarity of thought, I pray. May I speak Your Word faithfully. Thank You for choosing me; for loving me in truth. May Your grace, mercy and peace be with me today as I preach. May I speak Your truth in love. May all who hear me know that I am Your servant and that I love You with my whole heart, and mind, and soul, and strength.


2 Samuel 17.29; Psalm 14.2; Jeremiah 23; 2 John

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Prayer: A Wine To Revive Those Who Are Faint


Ah, Lord Jesus, may Your New Covenant be a wine to revive those who are faint in the wilderness. May we fall so in love with You that Your commandments are not burdensome. I trust in Your steadfast love; my heart rejoices in Your salvation. I sing to You for You have dealt bountifully with me. May I be one who does justice and righteousness, who delivers others from the hand of the oppressor -- those who have been robbed, the alien, the fatherless and the widow the poor and the needy. May I draw ever closer to You and come to know You intimately, my Lord and my God.


2 Samuel 16.2; 2 Samuel 10.12; Psalm 13.5-6; Jeremiah 22.3,16; 1 John 5.3


Friday, October 10, 2008

Prayer: Perfect Your Love in Me


Father God, may I be a fearless loving person. The poor are plundered, the needy groan; arise O Lord, perfect Your love in me.


2 Samual 15.20; Psalm 12.5-6; Jeremiah 21.8; 1 John 4.18-21

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Prayer: A Burning Fire


Ah, Lord God, thank You for reminding me that I am not yet what I shall be, for I confess that I get so weighted down by my shortcomings and past failures. Thank You for reminding me of the hope that one day I shall be like You. I take refuge in You and in Your Word. May it become a burning fire in my heart so that I am refined and purified a true child of Yours.


Psalm 11.1; Jeremiah 20.9; 1 John 3.2-3

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Musing: Crossing the Jordan


I recently had a phone call from a dear friend who was saddened by the untimely death of one of her seminary professors, Rosemary Keller. As we talked, she said Dr. Keller had recently published a book, In Our Own Voices: Four Centuries of American Women’s Religious Writing. When our conversation ended, I promised I would check out a copy of the book and read it.

Following through on that promise was a delight. It contained religious writings of Roman Catholic, Black, Jewish, Protestant, Pentecostal, Native American women, etc. And then there was a chapter regarding ordination of women and the difficulties they faced through the years trying to become ordained. I finished that particular chapter rather late one evening and as I closed the book I started to cry. Goodness! What was that about? I realized I had felt the call to ministry when I was 15 years old, but at that time I was a member of a denomination that did not allow woman in ministry and was told it was impossible. I had been dismayed, discouraged, and disillusioned; however, I continued to walk by faith and serve where allowed.

A couple weeks ago, I turned 55. So it has been 40 years since I first felt the call to ministry…and now the call was seemingly being renewed. How could it be? My husband and I had moved to Oregon and built our retirement home in Seal Rock…he recently retired…how was this going to work? It would absolutely turn our lives upside down. I told God that if this was the path I was to take, I was going to need some strong affirmation.

The next morning I entered my quiet time in the usual way, and was surprised by some encouraging / confirming verses:

In Joshua 1.2-9, I read…Arise and go over this Jordan…No man shall be able to stand before you…I will be with you, I will not leave you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous…only be strong and very courageous…do not be frightened and do not be dismayed for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

And in 1 Corinthians 9. 16-17, it stated…for necessity is laid upon me. Woe to you if you preach not the gospel…you have been entrusted with a stewardship…

Later that morning I went to visit a friend who had recently undergone surgery and was in a care facility. When I arrived, Arnie was sitting outside waiting for me. We chatted about the weather and his stay at the care facility as we headed to his room for our visit. As soon as we were inside, he turned around, pointed directly at me and emphatically stated, “You need to preach!”

Following my visit with Arnie, I had a luncheon appointment with a female pastor friend. We greeted one another and she asked me how my visit with Arnie went. As we walked into the restaurant, she put her arm around me and said, “You have such a pastor’s heart. You really should be in ministry.”

The following day was our Wednesday Worship Team meeting at church. At the end of the meeting our pastor announced he was taking vacation in October and needed someone to fill the pulpit. All the Worship Team members said it should be me. I was overwhelmed!

Encouraged by these four confirmations I made arrangements to talk with pastor. We discussed the possibility of becoming a Commissioned Lay Pastor. On September 16th, I was approved by the Session to pursue the training. Sunday, October 12th, I will preach my first sermon at First Presbyterian Church. The journey continues...