Connect with Your Soul
Quotes #1
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
—Deuteronomy 6:5
Then my soul will rejoice in the Lord and delight in his salvation.
—Psalm 35:9
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?
—Psalm 42:2
Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
—Psalm 42:11
My heart, O God, is steadfast; I will sing and make music with all my soul.
—Psalm 108:1
Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
—Proverbs 16:24
Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
—Matthew 11:29
What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?
—Matthew 16:26
The Lord sends no one away empty except those who are full of themselves.
—Dwight L. Moody
Lord, make me see thy glory in every place.
—Michelangelo
I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble.
—Helen Keller
In commanding us to glorify him, God is inviting us to enjoy him.
—C. S. Lewis
Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
—Hebrews 11:1
Do all the good you can
By all the means you can
In all the ways you can
In all the places you can
To all the people you can
As long as ever you can.
—John Wesley
When you meditate, imagine that Jesus Christ in person is about to talk to you about the most important thing in the world. Give him your complete attention.
—Francois Fenelon, Archbishop of Cambrai, 1651–1715
Keep a clear eye toward life’s end. Do not forget your purpose and destiny as God’s creature. What you are in HIs sight is what you are and nothing more. Remember that when you leave this earth, you can take nothing that you have received ... but only what you have given; a full heart enriched by honest service, love, sacrifice and courage.
—Saint Francis of Assisi
The fool wonders, the wise man asks.
—Disraeli
Many things I have tried to grasp, and have lost. That which I have placed in God’s hands I still have.
—Martin Luther
Love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor.
—Romans 12:10
The shepherds sing; and shall I silent be?
My God, no hymn for thee?
My soul’s a shepherd too; a flock it feeds
Of thoughts, and words, and deeds.
The pasture is Thy Word; the streams, Thy Grace
Enriching all the place
Shepherd and flock shall sing and all my powers
Out-sing the daylight hours.
—George Herbert, 1595–1633
Goodness is the only investment that never fails.
—Henry David Thoreau
Be imitators of God ... and live a life of love.
—Ephesians 5:1
I smiled to think God’s greatness flowed round our incompleteness, round our restlessness, His rest.
—Elizabeth Barrett Browning, “Rhyme of the Duchess”
You always know when the vision is of God because of the inspiration that comes with it; things come with largeness and tonic to the life because everything is energized by God.
—Oswald Chambers
How little people know who think that holiness is dull. ... When one meets the real thing, it’s irresistible.
—C. S. Lewis
Pride slays thanksgiving, but an humble mind is the soil out of which thanks naturally grow. A proud man is seldom a grateful man, for he never thinks he gets as much as he deserves.
—Henry Ward Beecher
Were there no God, we would be in this glorious world with grateful hearts, and no one to thank.
—Christina Rossetti, 1830–1894
There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of every person and it can never be filled by any created thing. It can only be filled by God, made known through Jesus Christ.
—Blaise Pascal
—Deuteronomy 6:5
Then my soul will rejoice in the Lord and delight in his salvation.
—Psalm 35:9
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?
—Psalm 42:2
Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
—Psalm 42:11
My heart, O God, is steadfast; I will sing and make music with all my soul.
—Psalm 108:1
Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
—Proverbs 16:24
Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
—Matthew 11:29
What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?
—Matthew 16:26
The Lord sends no one away empty except those who are full of themselves.
—Dwight L. Moody
Lord, make me see thy glory in every place.
—Michelangelo
I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble.
—Helen Keller
In commanding us to glorify him, God is inviting us to enjoy him.
—C. S. Lewis
Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
—Hebrews 11:1
Do all the good you can
By all the means you can
In all the ways you can
In all the places you can
To all the people you can
As long as ever you can.
—John Wesley
When you meditate, imagine that Jesus Christ in person is about to talk to you about the most important thing in the world. Give him your complete attention.
—Francois Fenelon, Archbishop of Cambrai, 1651–1715
Keep a clear eye toward life’s end. Do not forget your purpose and destiny as God’s creature. What you are in HIs sight is what you are and nothing more. Remember that when you leave this earth, you can take nothing that you have received ... but only what you have given; a full heart enriched by honest service, love, sacrifice and courage.
—Saint Francis of Assisi
The fool wonders, the wise man asks.
—Disraeli
Many things I have tried to grasp, and have lost. That which I have placed in God’s hands I still have.
—Martin Luther
Love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor.
—Romans 12:10
The shepherds sing; and shall I silent be?
My God, no hymn for thee?
My soul’s a shepherd too; a flock it feeds
Of thoughts, and words, and deeds.
The pasture is Thy Word; the streams, Thy Grace
Enriching all the place
Shepherd and flock shall sing and all my powers
Out-sing the daylight hours.
—George Herbert, 1595–1633
Goodness is the only investment that never fails.
—Henry David Thoreau
Be imitators of God ... and live a life of love.
—Ephesians 5:1
I smiled to think God’s greatness flowed round our incompleteness, round our restlessness, His rest.
—Elizabeth Barrett Browning, “Rhyme of the Duchess”
You always know when the vision is of God because of the inspiration that comes with it; things come with largeness and tonic to the life because everything is energized by God.
—Oswald Chambers
How little people know who think that holiness is dull. ... When one meets the real thing, it’s irresistible.
—C. S. Lewis
Pride slays thanksgiving, but an humble mind is the soil out of which thanks naturally grow. A proud man is seldom a grateful man, for he never thinks he gets as much as he deserves.
—Henry Ward Beecher
Were there no God, we would be in this glorious world with grateful hearts, and no one to thank.
—Christina Rossetti, 1830–1894
There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of every person and it can never be filled by any created thing. It can only be filled by God, made known through Jesus Christ.
—Blaise Pascal
Reflective Prompts #1
Blaise Pascal was just a teenager when he wrote this. Known for both mathematics and philosophy, his words live on, winning some over to God because he embraced both science and faith.
In what ways have your other careers prepared you to better serve God through your writing?
Have you ever looked back at things you wrote in your youth and wondered if they’re worth revisiting?
In what ways have your other careers prepared you to better serve God through your writing?
Have you ever looked back at things you wrote in your youth and wondered if they’re worth revisiting?
Amazing Grace Lyrics
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind but now I see.
‘Tis Grace that taught my heart to fear
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.
Through many dangers, toils and snares
We have already come.
‘Tis Grace that brought us safe thus far
And Grace will lead us home.
When we've been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We've no less days to sing to sing God's praise
Than when we first begun.
John Newton
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind but now I see.
‘Tis Grace that taught my heart to fear
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.
Through many dangers, toils and snares
We have already come.
‘Tis Grace that brought us safe thus far
And Grace will lead us home.
When we've been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We've no less days to sing to sing God's praise
Than when we first begun.
John Newton
Click to listen to the hymn.
Quotes #2
Be faithful in the little practices of love which will build in you the life of holiness and make you Christlike.
—Mother Teresa
Good character is more to be praised than outstanding talent. Most talents are, to some extent, a gift. Good character, by contrast, is not given to us. We have to build it, piece by piece—by thought, choice, courage and determination.
—H. Jackson Browne
There are three stages in the work of God: impossible, difficult, done.
—James Hudson Taylor, English Missionary
Surprise me, Lord, as a seed surprises itself.
—George Herbert
Faith goes up the stairs that love has built and looks out the window which hope has opened.
—Charles Spurgeon
Some are more concerned that they be noticed than that Christ may be seen.
—Father Richard B. Bass
—Mother Teresa
Good character is more to be praised than outstanding talent. Most talents are, to some extent, a gift. Good character, by contrast, is not given to us. We have to build it, piece by piece—by thought, choice, courage and determination.
—H. Jackson Browne
There are three stages in the work of God: impossible, difficult, done.
—James Hudson Taylor, English Missionary
Surprise me, Lord, as a seed surprises itself.
—George Herbert
Faith goes up the stairs that love has built and looks out the window which hope has opened.
—Charles Spurgeon
Some are more concerned that they be noticed than that Christ may be seen.
—Father Richard B. Bass
Reflective Prompt #2
Would you be satisfied if no one noticed that you authored a book, only that the book pointed to God?
How would that look?
How would that look?
Quotes #3
Commit thy works unto the Lord and thy thoughts shall be established.
—Proverbs 16:3
O God, Light of lights, keep us from inward darkness. Grant us so to sleep in peace that we may arise to work according to your will.
—Lancelot Andrews, 1555–1626
Sow an act, and you reap a habit. Sow a habit, and you reap a character. Sow a character and you reap a destiny.
—Charles Reade
Praise makes good men better and bad men worse.
—Thomas Fuller, 1608–1661
We trust, not because a God exists, but because this God exists.
—C. S. Lewis, 1898–1963
Man is what he believes.
—Chekhov, 1860–1904
What you do when you don’t have to, determines what you will be when you can no longer help it.
—Rudyard Kipling, 1865–1936
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
—Proverbs 9:10
The Bible will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from the Bible.
—Dwight L. Moody, 1837–1899
—Proverbs 16:3
O God, Light of lights, keep us from inward darkness. Grant us so to sleep in peace that we may arise to work according to your will.
—Lancelot Andrews, 1555–1626
Sow an act, and you reap a habit. Sow a habit, and you reap a character. Sow a character and you reap a destiny.
—Charles Reade
Praise makes good men better and bad men worse.
—Thomas Fuller, 1608–1661
We trust, not because a God exists, but because this God exists.
—C. S. Lewis, 1898–1963
Man is what he believes.
—Chekhov, 1860–1904
What you do when you don’t have to, determines what you will be when you can no longer help it.
—Rudyard Kipling, 1865–1936
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
—Proverbs 9:10
The Bible will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from the Bible.
—Dwight L. Moody, 1837–1899
It Is Well Lyrics
When peace like a river attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll,
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
It is well
With my soul.
It is well, it is well with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control:
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate
And has shed His own blood for my soul.
My sin—oh the bliss of this glorious thought—
My sin, not in part, but the whole
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more.
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
It is well
With my soul.
It is well, it is well with my soul.
And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll.
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend.
Even so, it is well with my soul!
It is well
With my soul.
It is well, it is well with my soul.
Horatio G. Spafford
When sorrows like sea billows roll,
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
It is well
With my soul.
It is well, it is well with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control:
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate
And has shed His own blood for my soul.
My sin—oh the bliss of this glorious thought—
My sin, not in part, but the whole
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more.
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
It is well
With my soul.
It is well, it is well with my soul.
And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll.
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend.
Even so, it is well with my soul!
It is well
With my soul.
It is well, it is well with my soul.
Horatio G. Spafford
Click to listen to the hymn.
(Note: She doesn’t sing the last verse.)
Centering Prayer
CENTERING PRAYER
A Beginner’s Guide to Practicing the Presence of God
By David and Keri Lippman
I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. —Ephesians 3:16-17 (NLT)
In our frantic world, it can seem almost impossible to slow down. Even when we begin, our brains keep running ahead. We need a (re)training of our attention. How better than to learn to practice being present with God?
Centering prayer is an ancient Christian tool for resting and guiding the heart in order to receive from God’s presence with you. It’s meant to lead into quiet, intimate interactions with Our Father.
Nine times in the Gospels, Jesus says, “Don’t be anxious/worried.” He gently rebuked, “Martha, you are worried and upset about many things” (Luke 10.41). And the apostle Paul writes, “Be anxious for nothing” (Philippians 4:6).
The Holy Spirit will teach us to “be strengthened” with His power in “our inner being” through learning a new way pray with God. Remember, God is “intimately acquainted” with all your ways (Psalm 139:3).
TO BEGIN:
• Find a quiet place where you won’t be interrupted.
• Choose a small amount of time.
• Get comfortable, close your eyes, breathe.
NEXT:
• Think of a word, or short phrase, that means something to your current rela- tionship with God.
• This word represents your intention to return to God in the quiet of your thoughts, a single-word prayer.
• Ready? Introduce the sacred word as a prayer.
REMEMBER:
• As thoughts float back into your mind, return to your word/phrase.
• Resist interpreting what’s going on.
• Resist placing judgement or reacting to a thought.
• Return to your word in prayer.
CLOSE:
• When finished, briefly thank God in prayer.
• Allow your heart to remain at rest.
• Continue with your day.
A Beginner’s Guide to Practicing the Presence of God
By David and Keri Lippman
I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. —Ephesians 3:16-17 (NLT)
In our frantic world, it can seem almost impossible to slow down. Even when we begin, our brains keep running ahead. We need a (re)training of our attention. How better than to learn to practice being present with God?
Centering prayer is an ancient Christian tool for resting and guiding the heart in order to receive from God’s presence with you. It’s meant to lead into quiet, intimate interactions with Our Father.
Nine times in the Gospels, Jesus says, “Don’t be anxious/worried.” He gently rebuked, “Martha, you are worried and upset about many things” (Luke 10.41). And the apostle Paul writes, “Be anxious for nothing” (Philippians 4:6).
The Holy Spirit will teach us to “be strengthened” with His power in “our inner being” through learning a new way pray with God. Remember, God is “intimately acquainted” with all your ways (Psalm 139:3).
TO BEGIN:
• Find a quiet place where you won’t be interrupted.
• Choose a small amount of time.
• Get comfortable, close your eyes, breathe.
NEXT:
• Think of a word, or short phrase, that means something to your current rela- tionship with God.
• This word represents your intention to return to God in the quiet of your thoughts, a single-word prayer.
• Ready? Introduce the sacred word as a prayer.
REMEMBER:
• As thoughts float back into your mind, return to your word/phrase.
• Resist interpreting what’s going on.
• Resist placing judgement or reacting to a thought.
• Return to your word in prayer.
CLOSE:
• When finished, briefly thank God in prayer.
• Allow your heart to remain at rest.
• Continue with your day.
Restoring Your Identity
RESTORING YOUR IDENTITY
A Beginner’s Guide to Praying Through How God Sees You
By David and Keri Lippman
“The Prayer of Recollection is a prayer that helps us to separate from our own strength and cling to God—to ultimately find our identity ‘in Christ.’” —Larry Warner
At times a thousand forces pull at our time, our energy, and our attention. While under the influence of a busy and broken world, it can be easy to forget our identity and function in misalignment rather than flourish.
An ancient prayer, called the Prayer of Recollection, helps us to recall our identity in Christ while shedding false identities we’ve picked up through sin, suffering, and the daily grind. These words are drawn from the heart of Paul in Philippians 3:4-11. Because we’re in Christ, as we practice this prayer, our truest identity will remain in Him, and we can live free.
HOW TO BEGIN
Each section has a prompt that will provide words for you to offer to God in prayer. Use these as a jumping-off point for your own words with Him.
1. PRAYER OF PRESENTING:
Lord, I am here; I present myself to You. Open my heart to the truth of what is going on in my life. This is me right now.
Pause to listen to your heart.
2. PRAYER OF DETACHMENT:
At the core of my spirit, I am not an angry person, a fearful person, a worrier, arrogant, envious, distrustful, unkind, impatient, jealous, an outsider, a liar, guilty. At the core, my identity is not as a sinner, wicked, rebellious, and unloving.
At the core of my spirit, I am not defined by my abilities, virtues, or vices. I am not my behaviors, feelings, personality quirks, gifts or talents, good or bad choices. I am not defined by how I perform or what other people think of me.
At the core of my spirit, I am not [ultimately] a father or a mother, a husband or a wife, a daughter or a son. I am not a good or bad friend, coworker, or family member.
I am not rich or poor, a success or a failure. I am not a kind person or an angry person. I am not ultimately [confess any identities, roles, and influences other than God].
Let go of false identities/roles.
3. PRAYER OF ATTACHMENT:
At the core of my spirit, I am now clothed with Christ’s righteousness, with full pardon from guilt and full acceptance from God. I am precious in God’s eyes. He calls me His beloved.
By the Spirit, at my core, I have put on His fruit of love, compassion, humility, kindness, forgiveness, gentleness, patience, self-control, peace, and goodness. This is who I truly am.
Confess any unbelief.
4. PRAYER OF OBEDIENCE:
Lord, may my mind and heart be open to Christ, who is my life. And may I have the wisdom, when the time is right, to lay aside the old-person residue and its ways and to put on Christ, to obey Him in all things, and to reaffirm who I really am in Him.
Lord, have mercy.
Amen.
A Beginner’s Guide to Praying Through How God Sees You
By David and Keri Lippman
“The Prayer of Recollection is a prayer that helps us to separate from our own strength and cling to God—to ultimately find our identity ‘in Christ.’” —Larry Warner
At times a thousand forces pull at our time, our energy, and our attention. While under the influence of a busy and broken world, it can be easy to forget our identity and function in misalignment rather than flourish.
An ancient prayer, called the Prayer of Recollection, helps us to recall our identity in Christ while shedding false identities we’ve picked up through sin, suffering, and the daily grind. These words are drawn from the heart of Paul in Philippians 3:4-11. Because we’re in Christ, as we practice this prayer, our truest identity will remain in Him, and we can live free.
HOW TO BEGIN
Each section has a prompt that will provide words for you to offer to God in prayer. Use these as a jumping-off point for your own words with Him.
1. PRAYER OF PRESENTING:
Lord, I am here; I present myself to You. Open my heart to the truth of what is going on in my life. This is me right now.
Pause to listen to your heart.
2. PRAYER OF DETACHMENT:
At the core of my spirit, I am not an angry person, a fearful person, a worrier, arrogant, envious, distrustful, unkind, impatient, jealous, an outsider, a liar, guilty. At the core, my identity is not as a sinner, wicked, rebellious, and unloving.
At the core of my spirit, I am not defined by my abilities, virtues, or vices. I am not my behaviors, feelings, personality quirks, gifts or talents, good or bad choices. I am not defined by how I perform or what other people think of me.
At the core of my spirit, I am not [ultimately] a father or a mother, a husband or a wife, a daughter or a son. I am not a good or bad friend, coworker, or family member.
I am not rich or poor, a success or a failure. I am not a kind person or an angry person. I am not ultimately [confess any identities, roles, and influences other than God].
Let go of false identities/roles.
3. PRAYER OF ATTACHMENT:
At the core of my spirit, I am now clothed with Christ’s righteousness, with full pardon from guilt and full acceptance from God. I am precious in God’s eyes. He calls me His beloved.
By the Spirit, at my core, I have put on His fruit of love, compassion, humility, kindness, forgiveness, gentleness, patience, self-control, peace, and goodness. This is who I truly am.
Confess any unbelief.
4. PRAYER OF OBEDIENCE:
Lord, may my mind and heart be open to Christ, who is my life. And may I have the wisdom, when the time is right, to lay aside the old-person residue and its ways and to put on Christ, to obey Him in all things, and to reaffirm who I really am in Him.
Lord, have mercy.
Amen.
Decision Making
DECISION MAKING
A Beginner’s Guide to Discernment in Decision Making
By David and Keri Lippman
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. —Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)
During turbulent times, or seasons of pending transition, hundreds of influences can pull at our attention. Often it’s hard to know which voice to follow. This guide for prayer and reflection will help you to gain the confidence necessary to navigate these upcoming changes in peace with God.
Set about a half hour apart in your schedule to attended to the following prompts and discover how God is already leading you amid the storm. Remember, you are first called to a Person, not a role, identity, task, philosophy, etc.
1. WHO I'VE BEEN
Lord, I come to You with all that I’ve been. Help me consider this step ahead of me.
What has led me to this place? In that, what is worth celebrating?
Celebrate with the Lord for a minute.
What in that has been hard/failing?
Grieve with the Lord for a minute.
God, what are You showing me about who I’ve been?
Pause and listen.
2. WHO I AM NOW
Lord, I consecrate my current thoughts and feelings to You.
Help me to understand what brings me life (John 10:10) and, therein, how You might be connecting to me now.
Share with the Lord what you are feeling and thinking right now.
I place that in Your strong hands. I am not ultimately my feelings or thoughts—I am Yours.
Pause to listen.
A. What's surfacing in my soul?
What type of person do I want to be in the midst of this decision?
Share this with Him.
What is pulling me away from that?
What is pushing me toward that?
Pause to listen.
B. What's surfacing with God?
God, how has it been for me connecting with You in this decision?
Be honest with Him.
God, how do I sense You close to me?
God, in what areas do You seem far away?
Pause to listen.
C. Begin to draw near
God, being with You in this decision is the most important part to me.
How can I align with what You’re doing in my present moment?
Ponder.
What might You be showing me in the process?
Consider this with Him for a few moments.
3. WHERE AM I CALLED?
Lord, the future is in Your hands. At the same time, You have called me to build it with You.
Protect me from any false pictures of what-might-be and lead me into all truth.
After all that I’ve shared with You, God, what longings have You place in my heart regarding this decision?
Speak with God about these.
God, what in Your heart aligns with this decision?
For a few minutes, consider His Word and character.
God, what temptations might pull me away from making this decision with You?
Be honest with Him.
ENDING PRAYER
God, You go before me, You stand behind me, and You are with me now.
I trust You in this next step.
Amen.
A Beginner’s Guide to Discernment in Decision Making
By David and Keri Lippman
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. —Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)
During turbulent times, or seasons of pending transition, hundreds of influences can pull at our attention. Often it’s hard to know which voice to follow. This guide for prayer and reflection will help you to gain the confidence necessary to navigate these upcoming changes in peace with God.
Set about a half hour apart in your schedule to attended to the following prompts and discover how God is already leading you amid the storm. Remember, you are first called to a Person, not a role, identity, task, philosophy, etc.
1. WHO I'VE BEEN
Lord, I come to You with all that I’ve been. Help me consider this step ahead of me.
What has led me to this place? In that, what is worth celebrating?
Celebrate with the Lord for a minute.
What in that has been hard/failing?
Grieve with the Lord for a minute.
God, what are You showing me about who I’ve been?
Pause and listen.
2. WHO I AM NOW
Lord, I consecrate my current thoughts and feelings to You.
Help me to understand what brings me life (John 10:10) and, therein, how You might be connecting to me now.
Share with the Lord what you are feeling and thinking right now.
I place that in Your strong hands. I am not ultimately my feelings or thoughts—I am Yours.
Pause to listen.
A. What's surfacing in my soul?
What type of person do I want to be in the midst of this decision?
Share this with Him.
What is pulling me away from that?
What is pushing me toward that?
Pause to listen.
B. What's surfacing with God?
God, how has it been for me connecting with You in this decision?
Be honest with Him.
God, how do I sense You close to me?
God, in what areas do You seem far away?
Pause to listen.
C. Begin to draw near
God, being with You in this decision is the most important part to me.
How can I align with what You’re doing in my present moment?
Ponder.
What might You be showing me in the process?
Consider this with Him for a few moments.
3. WHERE AM I CALLED?
Lord, the future is in Your hands. At the same time, You have called me to build it with You.
Protect me from any false pictures of what-might-be and lead me into all truth.
After all that I’ve shared with You, God, what longings have You place in my heart regarding this decision?
Speak with God about these.
God, what in Your heart aligns with this decision?
For a few minutes, consider His Word and character.
God, what temptations might pull me away from making this decision with You?
Be honest with Him.
ENDING PRAYER
God, You go before me, You stand behind me, and You are with me now.
I trust You in this next step.
Amen.