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

God is… (Day 30 – Good)

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever. – (1 Chronicles 16:34, NIV)

Give thanks to the Lord because He is good. His faithful love will last forever. – (1 Chronicles 16:34, ERV)

Give thanks to God – He is good and His love never quits. – (1 Chronicles 16:34, MSG)

Yesterday was another day of dear ones sharing their greatest joy and their most devastating heartbreak. The incredible reunion of my dear friend and her husband, after waiting three years for his green card, finally transpired. She shared a few photos with me and I could not help but fend off tears of joy on she and her family’s behalf. However, I also learned that a wonderful young woman, a former student of mine, passed away unexpectedly. To make matters worse, she left behind a twin sister and two young children. The overwhelming grief that the family is experiencing is immense, as their older sister passed a year ago. That being said, the living twin reached out and asked for prayer for the family, for she knows that even in despair, God is good. My friend who is at long last reunited, shared her joy as she is celebrating God’s goodness and faithfulness. The love of God is always good, even when our circumstances are not. In fact, we are assured that in this life, there will be trouble, yet we are promised that He will be with us through all things. His goodness assures us that though we will walk through seasons that shake us to the core, He will be with us, upholding us, carrying us, and walking beside us to see us to the other side. God demonstrates His goodness and faithfulness constantly. We need only to pause and look around us to witness in wonder how very good He is. Right now, I am flanked by our two dogs, with my husband sitting beside me before he heads out the door to work. Our home is warm and I am able to sip coffee and spend time reading God’s word and reflect upon what it says. Each morning, I am reminded anew of His love and goodness, faithfulness and nearness, as I am intentional to seek Him. No matter what is going on in life, His mercies are new every morning and I know that He is good. May we ever seek the Lord and give Him our praise, for He is good throughout all of our days.

In joy and sorrow,

God is always good;

His grace upholds us,

makes love understood.

Even in darkness,

when we cannot see;

the Lord is moving,

ever faithfully.

In seasons of joy,

let us give Him praise;

and in our sorrow,

choose trust in His grace.

His love surrounds us,

forever He reigns;

Our Hope, Provider,

Soother of our pains.

All thanks be to God,

because we’re assured;

no matter what comes,

God’s love will endure.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are always good. Thank You that Your goodness and love never end. Thank You that You make Your goodness known in both joy and heartache. Forgive us for the times that we question Your goodness when bad things happen. Thank You that You are big enough to hear and answer our questions. Teach us to trust You more, so that we instantly turn to You in every season that we walk through. Show us how to love those around us well, so that Your goodness and love are made tangible at all times and through all things. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we praise You and thank You that You are always good. Amen.

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

The Lord is good to all; He has compassion on all He has made. – Psalm 145:9

God is… (Day 5 – My Savior)

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. – (Philippians 3:20, NIV)

But the government that rules us is in heaven. We are waiting for our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, to come from there. – (Philippians 3:20, ERV)

But we are citizens of heaven, exiles on earth waiting eagerly for a Liberator, our Lord Jesus the Anointed to come. – (Philippians 3:20, VOICE)

This morning, I am unpacking what it means to me that God is my Savior. In order to see God as our Savior, we must first recognize our own need for being saved. For me, it takes little time to recognize the state of the world today and how much we all are in need of salvation. God sent Jesus to be the Savior of the world, and it is through salvation in Him that we are granted citizenship in heaven. Our acceptance is part of our being saved, and we have hope that knows no end. Incredibly, our Savior, though in heaven, is continually moving on our behalf, for He hears our prayers and upholds us all of our days. I am acutely aware of His help and His hope each new day, for He saves me from unrest with His peace, from chaos with His calm, from rejection with His acceptance, and it is His love that saves me from all that comes my way. This can be in simple ordinary things, for our Savior cares about all. He goes before me when I have appointments that are new or unnerving, and remains with me each step that I take. Hope is not found in the temporary and fleeting things on earth, but in our eternal home that awaits all who trust in the Savior. In all things, He is good, and His love is made evident in all. May we ever seek the Lord and trust Him as our Savior, for through Him, we are citizens of heaven, awaiting our eternal home with Him.

God is our Savior,

for He is the way;

to hope forever,

and help for today.

He saves us from all,

that tries to derail;

He strengthens in love,

why He bore the nails.

We each were destined,

to pay the great price;

for our sin and shame,

but He sacrificed.

It is by that love,

that we are His own;

embraced and welcomed,

our eternal home.

Though we’re not there yet,

our future’s secure;

Jesus has given,

salvation right here.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are God our Savior. Thank You that You save us and call us Your own. Thank You that by Your grace we are given citizenship to our eternal home. Thank You that Your help and hope, love and strength are not just for someday, but are available and freely given in the here and now as well. Forgive us for losing sight of the incredible sacrifice that You made as our Savior. Teach us to continually seek You to show us more and more of Yourself as we see and grow in understanding of what our salvation truly means. Lead us to love those around us well, so that they too, may know the power of a Savior. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we praise You for our promised hope that was made tangible through Your sacrifice that saved us. Amen.

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

Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long. – Psalm 25:5

He Hears

Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld His love from me! – (Psalm 66:20, NIV)

Praise God! He did not turn away from me – He listened to my prayer. He continues to show His love to me! – (Psalm 66:20, ERV)

May the True God be blessed, for He did not turn away from my prayer nor did He hold back His loyal love from me. – (Psalm 66:20, VOICE)

God hears our prayers, even when we cannot see how He is working. His love is abundant and never stops. In my own life, I know this is true. There have been many prayers that He has answered quickly, some that were a not yet, and still others were a wait and see what I have for you. In all things, He makes His love known and His glorious grace is shown. Often, He answers in ways we could not have imagined that are far better than we could dream up on our own. Right now, I am gratefully awaiting the start of the vacation we have been waiting for all summer. We are going to visit our dearest friends for ten days in Texas. Though it will be hot (and humid), time together is always a blessing. The last time we visited, our time together was a perfect mix of going and doing, and simply relaxing and enjoying one another. I anticipate much of the same this time. As I wait on God, for I know He hears my prayers and knows what is best for me, I am choosing to continue to trust Him and simply enjoy each day as it unfolds. May we ever seek the Lord in prayer and trust in His faithfulness to hear us, and wait patiently for Him to answer as only He can do.

The Lord is faithful,

He hears what we pray;

always He listens,

morning, night, and day.

In love He answers,

not always with yes;

but every answer,

is for what is best.

While we are waiting,

He continues move;

beyond what is seen,

His goodness He proves.

Thank You, Lord Jesus,

for Your love and grace;

and how You hear us,

good in all Your ways.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You know our heart and hear our every prayer. Thank You that You always have the very best in mind for us. Thank You for the times our prayers are unanswered because You have something better in store. Forgive us for our frustrations and fears in the waiting. Teach us to continue to trust You in all things and at all times, for You are always good. Show us how to love those around us in ways that bless and build up. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we praise You and thank You for Your loving kindness and grace. Amen.

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

Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know. – Jeremiah 33:3

He Looks into the Heart

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” – (1 Samuel 16:7, NIV)

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Eliab is tall and handsome, but don’t judge by things like that. God doesn’t look at what people see. People judge by what is on the outside, but the Lord looks at the heart. Eliab is not the right man.” – (1 Samuel 16:7, ERV)

But God told Samuel, “Looks aren’t everything. Don’t be impressed with his looks and stature. I’ve already eliminated him. God judges persons differently than humans do. Men and women look at the face; God looks into the heart.” – (1 Samuel 16:7, MSG)

God had called Samuel to anoint a new king. Jesse presented seven of his sons to Samuel, thinking that surely one of them must be the one Samuel was looking to make king. However, that is not how the story goes. After the seven sons had been seen by Samuel, he asked Jesse if he had any other sons. Jesse let him know there was one more, but he was out tending the sheep. As the story unfolds, David is the shepherd boy whom Samuel sees and then anoints as king. What the others did not see in David, God saw and knew and honored. David was strong and unafraid, for he often fought off wild animals to protect the sheep, and he had a heart to worship, as he was later known for his songs of both praise and lament that we find throughout the Psalms. There is much more to David’s story, but the gist is that God saw and knew his heart. It is no different for us. God sees and knows us, and His plans for us are best. God knows the potential and giftings within us, and intends to set us in spaces where we can use them best to honor Him. I know not what that might mean for me, but I do know that God is good and has a plan and a purpose for my life. The thing is, His ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are so much higher than ours. Even if the direction that He seems to be leading us appears to be at a standstill, He is good and is still working. May we ever praise God for His goodness and love, and give Him thanks that He looks into our hearts and knows what is best.

O Lord, we praise You,

for all that You do;

Your ways are higher,

and Your word is true.

I trust You anew,

each day as I rise;

Your goodness surrounds,

our Hope realized.

Father, we thank You,

that You are so good;

Your plan for our lives,

make grace understood.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You do not base our worth nor our purpose on the external, but rather You look into our heart and determine what is best for us, individually. Thank You that Your plans and purpose are always good. Forgive us for our impatience when we feel like You are leading us in one direction, yet cannot see how You are moving. Teach us to trust You in the waiting, for David was anointed king when he was a boy, but did not become king until years later. Show us how to love and encourage those around us well. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we praise You for Your promises and ever trust in who You are and what You say. Amen.

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

As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts. – Isaiah 55:9

Strength in the Waiting

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. – (Psalm 27:14, NIV)

Wait for the Lord’s help. Be strong and brave, and wait for the Lord’s help. – (Psalm 27:14, ERV)

Stay with God! Take heart. Don’t quit. I’ll say it again: Stay with God. – (Psalm 27:14, MSG)

God is so faithful. To be strong and take heart is to trust in God to be our strength as we wait. Right now, I am waiting to find out what next year might look like. Our current school will be torn down and rebuilt and our temporary location for the next year and a half is far different from what has always been. Additionally, I do not yet know what my teaching assignment will be. Due to the flexible nature of my teaching certificate and endorsements, I end up being a utility teacher that fills in the holes where I am needed. This ever-shifting role never gets boring, yet I never truly feel like I have mastered my craft. One of the things that I know to be true is that we must be lifelong learners. To do so requires strength, courage, and trust. There are days that I have wanted to quit, but God has continually strengthened me and carried me. This weekend, we typically have plans to go and do, but this year, we will be at home with no agenda. I imagine that this planless weekend is meant to be an opportunity for God to strengthen and refresh us in the sweet stillness of simply being home. Whatever this weekend holds for you, I pray that it will be a time of refreshment and strengthening as we give thanks for the ones who laid down their lives to protect the freedoms we know and enjoy.

Choose wait on the Lord,

Photo by Nikolay Draganov on Pexels.com

be strong and take heart;

He’s faithful to help,

finish what we start.

He leads and guides us,

with His faithful love;

strengthens with courage,

to rise up above.

Lean into the Lord,

for in Him we see;

all goodness and grace,

answers to each plea.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You strengthen us and supply what we need to keep moving forward as we wait on You. Thank You that You are faithful forever. Thank You for those who laid down their lives for us all. Forgive us for our lack of trust in the waiting. Teach us to trust You more and to love those around us as You call us to love. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we wait on You and praise You for the strength and courage You supply as we navigate our days. Amen.

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

But I trust in you, Lord; I say, “You are my God.” – Psalm 31:14

Our Hope and Our Help

We wait in hope for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. – (Psalm 33:20, NIV)

So we will wait for the Lord. He helps us and protects us. – (Psalm 33:20, ERV)

We live with hope in the Eternal. We wait for Him, for He is our Divine Help and Impenetrable Shield. – (Psalm 33:20, VOICE)

This morning, I woke in a surreal space as I am still trying to process reality. Last evening, my mom fell in her apartment and was injured. Thankfully, she was in a space where help was available right away, and after my sister arrived, mom was taken to the ER by ambulance. The good news is that she did not hit her head, but the challenge is that she broke her hip and will be having surgery either this afternoon or tomorrow. Another point of gratitude is that she was able to be transferred to a bigger hospital with a remarkable surgeon, and said surgeon is available and now in charge of mom’s care. Being 4.5 hours away makes for a heavy heart for me. I am one to hop in the car and get wherever I need to be, but unfortunately, such a trip would not be beneficial right now, as visitors are limited, and my sister is able to be present. This is the sort of space where I must wait in hope, and trust that God is mom’s Healer and Help in this painful place she is in. If you are one to pray, please include mom, as she needs extra strength to navigate surgery and the recovery process.

Lord, we are waiting,

With hope held in You;

Our faithful Healer,

And peace that is true.

With thanks, we trust You,

And all that You are;

Our hope and our help,

Wherever we are.

May Your protection,

Surround and bring peace;

Our great Comforter,

Through Whom love won’t cease.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are our help and our protection throughout all our days. Thank You that despite what we see or do not understand, You are present to strengthen, give help and hope. Forgive us for our frustrations and fears when bad things happen. Teach us to lean further into You, for You are our hope, our help, our strength, and our protection in all things. Show us how to love those around us through challenges in ways that further our faith. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust You to be our help and protection, and to be overwhelmingly present for mom. Amen.

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

Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. – Psalm 124:8

Great Things

The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. – (Psalm 126:3, NIV)

Yes, we will be happy because the Lord did a great thing for us. – (Psalm 126:3, ERV)

We shook our heads/ All of us were stunned – the Eternal has done remarkable things for us. We were beyond happy, beyond joyful. – (Psalm 126:3, VOICE)

After months of waiting and planning, tomorrow is now only a day away! Our dearest friends moved to Texas on January 1^st, and we have been waiting for spring break to arrive. At long last, tomorrow is the day. God has provided the time and resources to travel to spend our break together. Our joy is increased in the anticipation of being reunited. The thing is, He has done great things in the waiting, and the ultimate joy is found in knowing Him. He has supplied the strength and stamina to press on, even through the most challenging times, and has brought us to a space where rest and refreshment are within reach. This morning, I am refreshed in His presence and renewed in the hope of all that He has for us. Though today will be a very long day, I am looking forward to it, as conferences are a great time to see students with their parents, and to catch up on paperwork in between. God is good, and He is the One who fills us with His joy. May we ever take notice of all that He has done, and give thanks from hearts full of joy from knowing how good He truly is.

So great are the things,

God has done for us;

He has brought us here,

Showed us we can trust.

Trust in His goodness,

Know He will provide;

In Him there is joy,

As we choose abide.

Abide in His love,

Give thanks for all things;

Hope everlasting,

Through love He does bring.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your outpouring of goodness and grace that carries and sustains us through all of our days. Thank You for the joy that You plant deep within us, and then water and grow it as we come to know You more. Forgive us for the times that we allow our circumstances to steal our joy. Please fill us anew as we go forth today and lead us in the overwhelming love that You have given so that we may do likewise. Show us how to love and care for those around us as You intended, and may each come to know the joy found in You. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we praise You for the great things You have done and continue to do, and may our joy be contagious to those around us. Amen.

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

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise Him. – Psalm 28:7

Jesus is Our Present and Future Hope

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you. – (1 Peter 1:3-4, NIV)

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God has great mercy, and because of His mercy He gave us a new life. This new life brings us a living hope through Jesus Christ’s resurrection from death. Now we wait to receive the blessings God has for His children. These blessings are kept for you in heaven. They cannot be ruined or be destroyed or lose their beauty. – (1 Peter 1:3-4, ERV)

Blessed is God, the Father of our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One! Because He has raised Jesus the Anointed from death, through His great mercy we have been reborn into a living hope – reborn for an eternal inheritance, held in reserve in heaven, that will never fade or fail. – (1 Peter 1:3-4, VOICE)

Hope is waiting in anticipation for something good to happen, however, hope in Jesus is so much more. The hope we have in Christ is both now and for all eternity. In Him, we do not have to wait for “someday” to be filled with all the good that God provides. His peace, patience, gentleness, kindness, self-control, and overwhelming love are available now and into forever. With Jesus, we are filled to overflowing with His goodness and love, and have the promise of perfection with Him in heaven. Our ultimate blessings, our inheritance, are held for us in heaven, where Jesus has gone before us and prepared a place. For me, I have seen some of the most incredibly beautiful places on earth. The very same God who made the heavens and the earth, is preparing a place for us to dwell with Him forever. I cannot even fathom the beauty, goodness, warmth, and love that will constantly fill our hearts and beings as we enter His presence in heaven one day. Our anticipation of eternity is the living hope to which we can cling. May we ever seek the Lord to grow our hope in Him, both now and forevermore. For He is faithful to meet us and show us more and more of who He is and how He loves as we spend time with Him.

Hope is in waiting,

For something that’s good;

But hope in the Lord,

Through time has withstood.

Hope in Christ is now,

And forevermore;

His presence and peace,

Love opens the door.

The good that happens,

Forgiveness of sin;

In love, we’re made clean,

As we let Him in.

He fills us with hope,

Both now and always;

Peace granted right now,

Good throughout our days.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are our hope now and the living hope that lasts forever. Thank You that in You, we are promised presence with You forever. Thank You that You are with us now by Your Holy Spirit, and that You are preparing a place for us to remain with You forever in heaven. Forgive us for our lack of hope when hard things happen. Teach us to cling to the truth of who You are and how You love, and to the promised future forever with You. Lead us to love like You, so that many may come into a lasting relationship with You as peace is made tangible and love is evident. Be glorified O God, as we live out our days with the hope that we have in the here and now, and with the hope we hold in the promise of dwelling with You forever. Amen.

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

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. – Hebrews 10:23

Compassion and Comfort

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father compassion and the God of all comfort. – (2 Corinthians 1:3, NIV)

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the Father who is full of mercy, the God of all comfort. – (2 Corinthians 1:3, ERV)

All praise goes to God, Father of our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One. He is the Father of compassion, the God of all comfort. – (2 Corinthians 1:3, VOICE)

Most nights, I wake and have little or no recollection as to what I dreamed about. This morning, however, I woke after having dreamed all throughout the night about the surgery that was just scheduled yesterday. It was neither bad nor good, but rather felt like an abundance of waiting. I imagine that it was sparked by the concern that has been weighing on me since I was told the appointment schedule, and it carried over into my dreams. It is no mystery that I am anxious about what lies ahead, yet I know I am in a space where I must simply trust and go through the process. Though I have never experienced anything quite like this before, I have experienced the unfailing faithfulness of God. God is compassionate and is our comfort, and time and time again, I can share His heart for these things in our lives. He has been with me, provided for me, and comforted me through some of life’s lowest valleys. God stayed beside me, held me up, and provided all that I needed to keep moving forward. In fifteen days, the process will have begun, and in sixteen, it will be complete. Right now, that seems like a very long wait. However, when I look back, it does not feel like gymnastics season is nearly a month in. Even when days drag on, the weeks have flown much more rapidly than realized. Time is tricky, as it goes quickly when we want it to slow down, and it seems to stand still when we desire time to speed up. God is faithful through it all, and when my focus is on praising Him and His goodness, time does not matter. May we ever seek God in all things and at all times, for He is compassionate and provides comfort as each is needed.

Praise be to the Lord,

In all things, always;

For He’s our comfort,

Throughout all our days.

When we are anxious,

We need not give fear;

A foot to stand on,

For God is so near.

His great compassion,

Comfort for the soul;

Soothes us in stillness,

As He makes us whole.

So, trust in the Lord,

Ever give Him praise;

Our hope forever,

The Ancient of Days.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You know our hearts and our needs far better than we do. Thank You that You are our Comforter, and You are full of compassion for us all. Forgive us for our fearfulness as we face unknowns. Teach us to trust and rely on You more, for You are faithful to go before us, stay beside us, and hold us up when we are unable to move forward without Your strength. Show us how to navigate the unknowns with faith in Your nearness, and grant us wisdom to know how to encourage and walk beside those who are in such spaces. Let Your love be evident to all. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we place our every fear and concern in Your capable and compassionate hands, for You are with us and will not leave us. Amen.

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

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. – Psalm 23:4