Cleansing Within

And He said to them, “Are you also as lacking in understanding? Don’t you realize that nothing going into a man from the outside can defile him? For it doesn’t go into his heart but into the stomach and is eliminated.” (As a result, He made all foods clean.” Then He said, “What comes out of a person – that defiles him.” – (Mark 7:18-20, HCSB)

He said, “Do you still have trouble understanding? Surely you know that nothing that enters the mouth from the outside can make people unacceptable to God. Food does not go into a person’s mind. It goes into the stomach. Then it goes out of the body.” (When Jesus said this, He meant there is no food that is wrong for people to eat.) And Jesus said, “The things that make people wrong are the things that come from the inside.” – (Mark 7:18-20, ERV)

Jesus: Do you mean you don’t understand this one either? Whatever goes into people from the outside can’t defile them because it doesn’t go into their hearts. Outside things go through their guts and back out, thus making all foods pure. No, it’s what comes from within that corrupts. – (Mark 7:18-20, VOICE)

What we eat does not determine our righteousness before God. It is what comes out of our mouth and heart that demonstrates our thoughts and beliefs. To speak and act in alignment with God, we must seek and know God, to do His will. It is an ongoing process, as we constantly encounter new situations and circumstances and need God to guide us in His ways. Additionally, we need Him to help us filter our frustrations in such a way that we respond, rather than react. Personally, my default is sarcasm. It is a coping method, but it is not necessarily a way to honor the Lord. I need Him to show me how to adjust my thinking and responding when frustrations come. He is faithful to meet us each time we seek Him, and He helps us recognize a right response more quickly as we are in continual pursuit of His best. May we ever seek the Lord to lead us in every word, thought and deed, so that the things that come out of us glorify Him.

The things called “unclean”,

are not found in food;

it’s words and actions,

that are unkind, rude.

That which is unclean,

comes from peoples hearts;

and then manifests,

through what we impart.

O Lord, please lead us,

to choose what is clean;

our words and actions,

so Your love is seen.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You show and instruct us in how we ought to live. Thank You that living out love is what demonstrates Your goodness and grace. Forgive us for the times that we react out of our frustrations instead of responding in love. Teach us to look to You in all that we say and do so that those around us experience Your loving kindness. Show us how to love well, so that Your cleanliness flows from us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to lead us in Your love in all that we say and think and do. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

Create in me a clean heart, O God; restore within me a sense of being brand new. – Psalm 51:10

Be Still

He got up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Silence! Be still!” The wind ceased, and there was a great calm. – (Mark 4:39, HCSB)

Jesus stood up and gave a command to the wind and the water. He said, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind stopped, and the lake became calm. – (Mark 4:39, ERV)

He got up, shouted words into the wind, and commanded the waves. Jesus: “That’s enough! Be still!” And immediately the wind died down to nothing, the waves stopped. – (Mark 4:39, VOICE)

This is a powerful reminder of what Jesus can do when we call on Him in the middle of our storms. His power can silence the storm around us, or the storm in us, in an instant. Jesus did not prevent the storm, for storms come and go. He did, however, respond to the disciples when the called on Him. In the same way, we can call on Jesus in the midst of our own storms. Sometimes, it is that around us that needs to be calmed, yet others, it is the heart within us that truly needs His peace. As much as we might desire for the chaos to cease in an instant, there are times that knowing His calm within us is enough to navigate that which surrounds us. No matter our environment, situation or circumstance, He is near and able to help in ways we might not have imagined. For the disciples, He spoke and the wind and water obeyed. In my life, I have seen and known His help, His provision, His peace, and His presence in ways that calmed my heart and brought me to safe harbor. Not every storm stopped, but His peace was present and His strength supplied to press on in the direction to which I was called. His command, “Be still!” was spoken into my heart and at times, to my surroundings. In all things, He is good and He is able to bring us through every storm. May we ever seek the Lord and His powerful presence to bring peace to the places of unrest, and true rest to our weariness.

Jesus says, “Be still!”

to our hearts and minds;

all circumstances,

His help’s always kind.

He supplies the strength,

that our heart will need;

to navigate all,

in word, thought and deed.

Wherever we are,

whatever we do;

may we call on Him,

for He’ll see us through.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You can calm the storms around us and within us. Thank You that when You say, “Be still,” the storm is silenced, be it within our around us. Forgive us for the times that we flail about in the waves and wind instead of calling on You to be our peace. Teach us to trust You more, for You are always good and Your power provides what we need to navigate every storm. Lead us in Your love so that all those around us may understand the goodness of Your grace and the power of Your perfect peace. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You in stillness and storm, and praise You for the reminder to be still. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

“For I know the plans I have for you” – this is the Lord’s declaration – “plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. You will call to Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” – Jeremiah 29:11-13

Praying for One Another

With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of His calling, and that by His power He may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith. – (2 Thessalonians 1:11, NIV)

That is why we always pray for you. We ask our God to help you live the good way He wanted when He chose you. The goodness you have makes you want to do good. And the faith you have makes you work. We pray that with His power God will help you do these things more and more. – (2 Thessalonians 1:11, ERV)

All this is why we are constantly praying for you, so God will make you worthy of the great calling you have received from Him and will give you the power to accomplish every good intention and work of faith. – (2 Thessalonians 1:11, VOICE)

This is a great reminder that we ought to continually be praying for one another; asking God to equip, strengthen and empower one another to do the things that He has created us to do. We all have strengths and gifts that He has given to us to use for His glory. At times, we are uncertain as to how we might do so, and other times we simply feel too weary to do more. That being said, as we step forward in the direction to which we have been called, we discover that He will provide what we need to get through each new day. There have been many times in my life that I knew it was through the faithful prayers of my mom and grandma that I was equipped to do what I never thought was possible. My hope is that I become one who is faithfully praying for others. This must be a purposeful practice, for it is only through repetition that something becomes a habit, and ultimately turns into something that is a part of who we are. I know this is true with my daily devotions that led to this blog. For nearly a decade and a half, I have begun every morning this way. It sets my heart for the day, and equips me to do the things that are before me. May we ever seek the Lord to build in us a habit of praying for one another.

O Lord, help us pray,

in love, for others;

with consistency,

for sisters, brothers.

Father, guide our hearts,

show us how to pray;

to lift each other,

throughout each new day.

All grace and all peace,

God lovingly gives;

our help and our hope,

each day that we live.

Lead us, Lord Jesus,

as we go the way;

that You’re calling us,

equip us, I pray.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You call us to and create us for community. Thank You that You established countless examples of what it looks like to cover one another in prayer. Thank You that You quicken to our minds and hearts the things we ought to bring before You. Forgive us for the times that we have neglected to slow down and listen. Teach us to be intentional to pray for those around us. Lead us to love, encourage, and build up one another. May many come into a lasting relationship with You as an answer to our prayers. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to make prayer for each other a lifestyle. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. – Romans 12:12

Songs of Strength and Love

But I will sing of Your strength, in the morning I will sing of Your love; for You are my fortress, my refuge in time of trouble. – (Psalm 59:16, NIV)

But I will sing about Your strength. I will rejoice in Your love every morning. You have been my place of safety, the place I can run to when troubles come. – (Psalm 59:16, ERV)

But me? I will sing of Your strength. I will awake with the sun to sing of Your loving mercy because in my most troubled hour, You defended me. You were my shelter. – (Psalm 59:16, VOICE)

This morning, I woke more than an hour later than I typically do. I rose to go about my usual routine, only to discover one of our dogs and my husband were not downstairs. He had brought Thor upstairs so that I could have more rest. His love and kindness to me is a reminder of how much the Lord loves and cares for us all, individually. He supplies us strength when we are weary, grants us safety in the storms, and is the One whom we can run to when troubles and trials come our way. David, the one who penned Psalm 59, certainly knew how the Lord would help be his strength, provide loving mercy, defend him, and grant his safe shelter in spaces of need. He actually celebrated the victories the Lord had given with singing and dancing before everyone. David could not help but praise the One who had protected and preserved his life, and supplied all that was needed to press on. God does this for us as well. Last week was a marathon of a week, and there were a few mornings that I was uncertain as to how I would get through the day. He met me in my moments of exhaustion and gave me strength, and sleeping in this morning was an additional reminder that He sees and knows our needs and is ready to help us recharge. This weekend, despite having several things scheduled, holds many hours with none so that rest and restoration may be found. Additionally, a holiday weekend is on the horizon, so there will be more time to rest and reflect. As I sit here with one pup leaning on me and snoozing, the other happily chewing on a new chew toy, and my husband on the couch nearby, my heart is full of gratitude and songs of praise flood my mind. May we sing of His love forever and praise Him for being our strength and our shelter.

O Lord, unto You,

may we ever sing;

our strength and shelter,

through all that life brings.

You see all our need,

and hear each request;

You help and give hope,

and show us what’s best.

Father, we praise You,

for how You love us;

our strength and our song,

unto You, Jesus.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You meet us where we are and supply all that we need. Thank You that You grant us strength, hope, safety and Your overwhelming love. Forgive us for the times that we fail to recognize Your provision. Help us to sing praise to You for Your goodness and grace that is granted throughout every day. Teach us to love those around us in ways that make Your kindness evident to all. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we sing of all that You do for us and Your incredible love that lifts us up and makes us new. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever; with my mouth I will make Your faithfulness known through all generations. – Psalm 89:1

Petition and Prayer

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” – (Matthew 7:7-8, NIV)

“Continue to ask, and God will give to you. Continue to search, and you will find. Continue to knock, and the door will open for you. Yes, whoever continues to ask will receive. Whoever continues to look will find. And whoever continues to knock will have the door opened for them.” – (Matthew 7:7-8, ERV)

“Just ask and it will be given to you; seek after it and you will find. Continue to knock and the door will be opened for you. All who ask receive. Those who seek, find what they seek. And he who knocks, will have the door opened.” – (Matthew 7:7-8, VOICE)

Prayer and petition are ways in which we communicate with God. Just as in any other relationship, communication is essential. The amazing thing is that prayer is an ongoing conversation with God. It is us thanking Him for who He is, praising Him for His goodness, letting Him know our needs, and trusting Him to provide. Petition is the coming before Him requesting that He intervene and bring change to whatever is going on. Sometimes the change is in our circumstances, but often, the change takes place within us. These verses in Matthew remind us that we need to keep asking, seeking, and knocking, for God is faithful to answer our prayers. Just as a human father wants the very best for his children, so God does all the more. He who is perfect has the perfect solution as we ask. God is a gentleman and does not force His way in. In love, He is present to help, yet wants us to ask and invite Him into our hearts, lives and circumstances. May we ever seek the Lord, ask for His help, and knock on the doors that are placed before us that we are meant to go through, as we continually communicate with Christ.

Reach out, pray to God,

for He always hears;

His heart is for us,

and ever He’s near.

Each time that we seek,

the Lord will be found;

listening, waiting,

His grace is profound.

To knock on the door,

is to ask in prayer;

let Him know our need,

for He’s waiting there.

Our help and our hope,

all comfort and peace;

God is the answer,

to all that we need.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that as we seek You, we find You. Thank You that You are not elusive or unavailable, but rather You are ever-present, waiting for us to call on You. Thank You that each time we ask, You hear us and bring answers. Thank You that You open the doors that are meant for us, and You show us those that are not. Forgive us for the times that we attempt to navigate on our own, rather than talking to You and asking You for all that we need. Teach us to trust You more. Show us how to seek, ask, and knock in all things. Lead us to love one another as You love us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You, ask You, praise You, and trust You in all things and at all times. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. – Philippians 4:6

The Armor of God

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. – (Ephesians 6:10, NIV)

To end my letter I tell you, be strong in the Lord and in His great power. – (Ephesians 6:10, ERV)

Finally, brothers and sisters, draw your strength and might from God. – (Ephesians 6:10, VOICE)

Our armor, our strength from God, comes into our consciousness as we intentionally seek Him. God’s strength, protection, power, truth, and righteousness grant us a readiness to face whatever comes our way. For in all things, the Lord is present to help us, and He shows us the truth about what lies before us. Because He knows and has overcome all things, He is the One whom we should seek to help and equip us to navigate each new day. His armor is powerful protection from being defeated. At times our need for protection is physical, but just as often there is a mental and or spiritual war being waged. Self-doubt, injuries, illness, and more, are things we all face in our lives. God told us that we would not have a trouble-free life, but rather that He would be with us, always. Our armor is found as we run to the Lord and trust Him to lead us, be with us, and to strengthen us in His wisdom and power for all that lies before us. May we ever seek God to equip us with His armor, so that we might rise up in His wisdom and strength as we encounter every hill and valley that lies before us on the road we are called to take.

The armor of God,

protection indeed;

mind, body and spirit,

He knows what we need.

Wisdom is granted,

as Him we choose seek;

His strength is poured out,

when we’re feeling weak.

As things before us,

seem to be too much;

the Lord will be near,

to fill us all up.

Overflowing love,

as truth is made known;

righteousness revealed,

as His way is shown.

Father, please help us,

to ever seek You;

choose wear Your armor,

as You show the truth.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are good, faithful, loving, and ever-present to help. Thank You that we can seek You to equip us for all that lies before us. Thank You that Your armor protects us: body, mind, and spirit. Forgive us for the times that we attempt to muscle our way through things instead of seek You and Your wisdom to know the path that we are meant to take. Show us more and more of who You are and how You love so that we might be better equipped to walk in Your way and do Your will. Lead us in Your love to walk alongside those around us well, so that they may see and know Your heart, care and protection for them. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to strengthen and equip us, for You are our armor and our defense in all things. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. – Ephesians 6:14-16

Help We Can Trust

I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” – (Psalm 91:2, NIV)

I say to the Lord, “You are my place of safety, my fortress, My God, I trust in You.” – (Psalm 91:2, ERV)

He will say to the Eternal, “My shelter, my mighty fortress, my God, I place all my trust in You.”
– (Psalm 91:2, VOICE)

I think that intuitively, most people know that this is true of God. The reason I say this is that often, people who don’t typically pray or struggle to pray, do so when hard things happen. This morning, I am blown away by His provision, as I simply woke asking for His help and strength to get through the day, for I am thoroughly exhausted after both a very late gymnastics meet end last night, and sleep (when I finally got to sleep) that was interrupted by two doggos that woke me up twice in the night to go outside. Needless to say, the little sleep that I did get was not sound. Seemingly out of nowhere, my phone was ringing with the usually district identification showing on caller ID. The robocall announced that school will be starting two hours late, due to icy road conditions and freezing fog. At first, I thought there was an error, but then a text followed with the same announcement. For me, the provision of a couple of extra hours to start my day provide rest and the opportunity to prepare for the day at a leisurely pace, and the comfort of knowing that classes will be shorter. This may not seem like much, but in my heart, it is a clear reminder that I am seen and heard and known by God. His provision grants peace and strength, and His goodness knows no end. I trusted Him to provide the strength I needed to get through the day, but how He provided is so much more. May we ever seek the Lord in great and small things, and lean into Him, for He is our fortress and provider, and will do exceedingly more than we could hope or imagine as we trust in Him.

The Lord, my refuge,

Post competition and clean up, awaiting results…

safe place where I seek;

help and provision,

when I’m feeling weak.

Tired or troubled,

the Lord’s ever near;

He makes clear the way,

to overcome fear.

Ever He’s present,

in Him, I can trust;

always beside me,

to do what I must.

Thank You, Lord Jesus,

that always You care;

You see what we need,

as Your love is shared.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are the safe place we can run to and trust that You will be present through all things. Thank You that You are always good, even when our circumstances are not. Thank You that You show us Your goodness and kindness throughout each new day. Forgive us for the times that we think we have to simply power through, rather than trust and depend on You. Teach us to bring all things before You, both challenges and celebrations, for You are present through all. Lead us to love as You love. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust You to be our help and our hope in all things and at all times, and praise You for the ways that You provide and make Your love tangible. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. – Psalm 46:1

Faithful to Strengthen and Protect

But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. – (2 Thessalonians 3:3, NIV)

But the Lord is faithful; He will strengthen and guard you from the evil one. – (2 Thessalonians 3:3, HCSB)

But the Master never lets us down. He’ll stick by you and protect you from evil. – (2 Thessalonians 3:3, MSG)

The twenty-one day devotional that I am currently studying gives passages to read and follows with questions for prayer and contemplation. Above, is the passage that caught my attention and is what I have read again and again. I can testify to His faithfulness and how He has strengthened and protected me again and again. What caught me off-guard is the question “Are there people about whom God needs to remind you that your battle is not with them?” Initially, I thought, “Nah, I’m good. I don’t have any beef with anyone.” Literally seconds after I read and pondered the question, a truck and large trailer came into our neighborhood and spent several minutes working to get into their driveway as my dogs ferociously barked at them. This particular home has traffic in and out all day and night, every single day. We are quite certain there is illegal activity afoot, and their ongoing actions are the frustration of the neighborhood and our local precinct. In that moment, I realized that I have never prayed for them. In the more than five years that we have lived here and witnessed concerning activity, I have not asked God to show Himself to them. God quickened to my heart to pray for them and to ask Him to deal with the comings and goings that are constant to that house. Now, rather than becoming irritated with the uninvited extra traffic that sets our dogs on high alert, I instead will choose to pray for revelation, repentance and renewal. The Lord can change what we cannot, and His ways are always better. Despite the chaos and craziness that has transpired in the back corner of our neighborhood, He has protected our family and our home. God has been faithful, despite the potential for problems. May we ever remember that God is with us to strengthen and protect us, and He calls us to allow Him to be the One to deal with the battles that we cannot clearly see.

The Lord is faithful,

He strengthens, protects;

His love knows no end,

the way, He directs.

Battles before us,

are not just our own;

if given to God,

His goodness is shown.

His is the power,

the way change occurs;

as we give Him room,

His grace He ensures.

Grace to choose lift up,

others unto Him;

and circumstances,

needing change within.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are faithful forever and that You strengthen and protect us from evil. Thank You that You alone are the One to truly bring change in the hearts of people. Forgive us for the times that we have neglected to ask You to bring change in the spaces where Your help, hope, and love are needed most. Teach us to pray so that we may ever place things into Your hands, for You are equipped to do exceedingly more than we could hope or imagine. Lead us to love as You love. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust You in all things and praise You for Your faithful provision of strength and protection as we navigate each new day. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. – Isaiah 41:10

Luke 15 – When Lost Are Found

Luke 15 is the account of three different parables that Jesus told of things that were lost being found. The first story Jesus tells is of a person who owns a hundred sheep and one wanders off. Jesus reminds His hearers that an owner would leave his ninety-nine sheep to go and find the one. When it is found, the owner would celebrate and share his good news with his neighbors. Jesus concludes this parable with the following: “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” (Luke 15:7) The second parable in Chapter 15 is one of a woman who loses one of her ten coins she has to live on. She searches everywhere, and when she finds it, she shares her good news with her friends and neighbors. “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (verse 10) The final parable in this chapter is the story of a man with two sons. The younger one asked his father for his inheritance so that he could go and explore the world. Said son went off and squandered his wealth on wild living. After his money was gone, a severe famine hit the country he was visiting and he found himself in such poverty that he hired himself out to a citizen of that country to feed the owner’s pigs. Hungry and hopeless the younger son came to his senses and decided he would go back to his father, repent, and see if he would hire him on as a servant. “…While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” (verse 20) The lost son who had returned repented before his father and apologized for his foolishness. Hopeful for a servant’s position, the son was instead celebrated because he had returned. The elder brother who had remained home and faithful to his father heard the celebration and grew angry. His father explained that he had always been with him and all that the father had was for his son also. “But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” (verse 32)

The heavens rejoice,

when one lost is found;

a heart that repents,

great salvation sound.

For all who know Him,

we each were the one;

that He came after,

why God gave His Son.

Lord, help us to search,

for those who are lost;

lead us to love well,

so it’s You they want.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Son. Thank You for the ways that He showed us who You are and how You love, as You actively pursue those who are lost. Forgive us for acting like the elder son when we see one who is lost being pursued. Teach us to have the attitude of angels so that we might celebrate with thanksgiving each time one who was lost is found. Show us how to love those around us in ways that point to You. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we love as You love us, and praise You for the wonderful things that You do. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

“What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off?” – Matthew 18:12

Luke 11- Pray, Be Light and Love

Luke 11 opens with the disciples asking Jesus to teach them how to pray. His instruction is what we know today as The Lord’s Prayer. After His instruction, He goes on to explain the importance of presenting their requests to God. Keep asking and praying, “For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” (Luke 11:10) When Jesus was driving out a demon, some of the people in the crowd said He was doing so by the prince of demons. Jesus explained how that was not the case, for “Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall.” (verse 17) As the crowds grew larger, some began asking for a sign. Jesus let them know that if Nineveh could repent and be saved through the preaching of Jonah, so too could they, for someone greater than Jonah was before them. Next is a four-verse section about our eyes being the lamp of the body. If our eyes are full of light and healthy, so too is the rest of our body. Likewise, if our eyes are full of darkness, so too will our body be. Chapter 11 closes with Jesus interacting with Pharisees and teachers of the law over a meal. He calls them out for their lack of love and lets them know that they will be held responsible for the blood of the prophets since the beginning of the world because their words and actions hindered those who were entering the Kingdom.

Lord, help us to pray,

each day that we live;

take darkness from us,

so there’s light to give.

Let each word and deed,

be fueled by love;

cleanse us from darkness,

as light shines above.

Father, please teach us,

to walk in Your ways;

so we don’t hinder,

Your love and Your grace.

When we are tempted,

help us not succumb;

may we choose obey,

so Your will be done.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You sent Your Son to teach us how to pray, to live and to love in the light of Your goodness and grace. Forgive us for the times that we neglect to do what we know we ought to do. Teach us to trust You more so that we choose well in all things and at all times by Your goodness and grace. Show us how to love those around us in ways that make Your heart known. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to lead us to pray and to be light and love to those around us. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

“This, then, is how you should pray: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your Name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” – Matthew 6:9-13