Month: October 2024

talking trees

Posted on by Grace Day

Have you heard them recently? The trees, that is. I know you must have, as they are impossible to miss this time of year. These days the trees are practically shouting their praises to God all day long. At least that’s how it is here in the Midwest, where the trees celebrate autumn by turning their leaves every shade imaginable, including multiple shades of yellows, golds, oranges, reds, russets and colors I don’t even have names for, that manifest themselves when the sunlight hits their leaves. It’s as if the trees are participating in one last choral festival of celebration and worship before they lose their leaves and fall silent until spring comes to wake them up again.

In Psalms I read – “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.” (Psalm 19:1-4)

However, the trees are definitely getting in on the action of declaring God’s glory and they are giving the heavens some stiff competition. I can’t help but notice that the trees have become especially vocal as they glorify God with their vibrant, breath-taking array of colors, with every leaf on every branch declaring their Maker’s praises! It is beautiful to behold! And the heavens are participating by providing the perfect backdrop to display these multicolored talking trees. The skies are turning the most beautiful shade of clear, bright blue – nothing like an October sky!

Everywhere I look, I see trees displaying their colors, their branches lifted to heaven, leaves laughing in the wind. I see them, I hear them, I am drawn into their celebration of God who created them. The chatter of the trees seems only to increase as more and more of their leaves turn from green to the bright colors of autumn, until their praise and worship symphony are at full volume, drawing me completely into their celebration of joy and thanksgiving. It is inescapable. (not that I want to escape) I go outside and my spirits are lifted into joy, as I walk in the presence of God’s talking trees. I can’t help but offer up my own praise, worship and thanksgiving to God, following the example of the talking trees that seem to be everywhere I look, each one more glorious than the last.

So today, I say “thank you talking trees” – thank you for letting your lights/leaves shine, giving glory to Your Creator, my Heavenly Father. Thank you for reminding me of God’s constant, glorious presence and for inviting me to join with you in thanking Him and in praising His name. Truly, the talking trees of autumn are one of the best, of God’s many “good and perfect” gifts. Surely, these words ring true –

“This is my Father’s world, and to my listening ears, all nature sings and ’round me rings, the music of the spheres. (and of the talking trees) This is my Father’s world; I rest me in the thought, of rocks and trees, of skies and seas – His hand the wonders wrought.”

Thank You God for the talking trees of autumn!

sincerely, Grace Day

the influencer

Posted on by Grace Day

Full disclosure or necessary disclaimer, before I begin. I am not, nor have I ever been, on Facebook or TikTok or Twitter (now X, I guess) or Instagram or anything else, so I don’t know a lot about this, but I hear the term “influencer” often these days. It seems to be the new cool thing to be. So I’m wondering if “influencer” is now like a career choice or is it just a side gig that some people choose to do? Is “influencer” something you can put on your resume under “work experience”?

If you are an influencer, are you self-employed or does someone hire you to influence other people? Now something occurs to me. Isn’t this what we used to call “spokespersons?”, who were people, such as famous athletes, who were hired to promote certain products? They would get paid to endorse particular brands or products. Well, that’s been going on for years – well-known actors or athletes hired for the purpose of selling us stuff. Maybe just the name has changed. We now call them “influencers.”

Sounds so important, doesn’t it? When asked what you do for a living, you simply reply – “I’m an influencer.” (I wonder if that requires a four-year degree or if you need a masters degree to be an influencer?) Something to ponder. Just how does one become an influencer anyway? Although, it occurs to me that we are all influencers at times, while at other times we are “the influenced.”

I find myself wondering, who or what do I allow to influence me? And who am I influencing for better or for worse? Social media provides a plethora of platforms a person can use to become an influencer. In fact, I have a nephew who is a successful influencer on social media in the world of competitive swimming. He’s so good at what he does, he was sent to Paris to cover the Olympic swimming events. Being an influencer has its perks!

Turns out, being an influencer is no longer just for the famous Hollywood or sports icons. Everyday people can become influencers by gaining a following on social media spaces such as YouTube, with podcasts etc. There are even categories of influencers based on number of social media followers such as mega influencer, macro influencer, micro influencer, and nano influencer. But even the nano influencer can have up to ten thousand followers. And that’s considered a small sphere of influence.

While the name “influencer” sounds very cool and cutting edge to me, I think it is a job title I can never aspire to given my lack of involvement with technology in general (I have a flip phone) and the fact that I only come into contact with a very small number of people on a daily, weekly, yearly or even a lifetime basis. Perhaps I would do better to stick with what I’m already doing or consider something less glamorous than “influencer” for my next career move.

BUT – there’s always a “but” right? It occurs to me that I’ve already been given the job of “influencer” by my Heavenly Father, my Creator, my Redeemer. He redeemed me for a purpose and as it turns out, that purpose is for me to be an influencer. I can find my job description recorded in Matthew, when Jesus told His disciples –

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)

Make disciples, teach others – these certainly seem like things an influencer would do. But there’s more to this gig of influencing others. Here’s how Jesus described to His followers what He wanted them to be doing as they went about their daily lives –

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:13-16)

Salt and light – two very influential elements in our world. And Jesus tells me I am both of these! Salt was a preservative necessary before refrigeration and it is something which enhances the flavor of our food. Salt makes life better. Maybe that’s why saying about someone, “He/she is the salt of the earth” is a compliment meaning they are a kind, good, trustworthy person who is highly valued.

Likewise, light is essential for life. The sunlight causes all things to grow while warming the earth. It’s no coincidence that Jesus said of Himself –

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

You and I are invited to be influencers every day of our lives if we accept Jesus’s declaration over us that we indeed are “the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world.” You and I don’t need a social media platform to be influencers for God’s kingdom, to be salt and light in an otherwise tasteless and dark world. The personal touch is needed to be a hand holder, a burden bearer, a helper, a healer, a candle lighter, a friend who “loveth at all times.”

The truth is – you and I are influencers, whether we realize it or not. We may not have signed up for it or sought the title of “influencer” but we do influence those around us, either positively or negatively. It is inevitable. We have an impact on those we interact with each day. That impact is called influence. I want to be an intentional influencer – an influencer with a positive purpose given to me by my Heavenly Father.

I have already received the assignment, as have you, dear readers, to be His salt and light in this world. We are the influencers chosen for this time in history, so let’s not “lose our saltiness” nor “hide our lights under a bowl.” Being this kind of an influencer would be an impossible challenge for me, if I were not myself wholly and solely influenced by the one and only Influencer that truly matters, my Heavenly Father, Creator of the Universe, Almighty God.

“Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are His. He changes times and seasons; He sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; He knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with Him.” (Daniel 2:20-22)

Now that’s influence! So’s this –

“Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” (Proverbs 19:21)

“The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of His unfailing love. By the word of the Lord were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of His mouth. He gathers the waters of the sea into jars; He puts the deep into storehouses. Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere Him. . . . From heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind; from His dwelling place He watches all who live on earth – He who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do.” (Psalm 33:5-8 & 13-15)

That’s influence! The earth is full of God’s influence – His “unfailing love”, His righteousness and justice, His glory –

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.” (Psalm 19:1-4)

That’s complete and total influence! That’s what the Creator of the universe has. God is the Influencer. There are other influences and influencers vying for my attention and my allegiance, but God is the One whose influence I trust and who I want to guide me. He alone has my best interests at heart. He said so –

” ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ ” (Jeremiah 29:11)

If I am to be God’s influencer, I must be influenced by Him alone, my trusted Heavenly Father. To that end, these words are my daily prayer – that I will –

“Trust in the Lord with all my heart and lean not on my own understanding; in all my ways I will acknowledge Him, and He will direct my paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

living life under the influence of the One and only Sovereign Influencer,

sincerely, Grace Day

revisiting the crime scene

Posted on by Grace Day

I do this often – return to the scene of the crime that is. It is unavoidable unless I want to find a new grocery store, and I don’t. So every time I need to purchase food, like today for instance, I encounter them, smiling cheerfully, alluringly, innocently at all the passersby, including me. The sight of the sunflowers, there among all the other flowers for sale, triggers me every time. I can’t help it. I clutch my credit card a little tighter as I pass by, experiencing perhaps PTSD from the time they, the sunflowers, hid my credit card deep in the recesses of their water bucket, while I frantically searched the whole store looking for said credit card.

Now I know the sunflowers I see today are not the same sunflowers that took temporary custody of my credit card on that fateful day. Still, I can’t help myself. Call it stereotyping, profiling, guilt by association – but the sight of those cheerful sunflowers feigning innocence triggers me every time. I am remined of the panic and fear I experienced at their hands. (well, ok, their petals)

I didn’t realize until today that PTSD can be so persistent, or that I may be transferring my distrust of sunflowers to other varieties of flowers as well. This makes no sense, but feelings often prevail over facts and logic. I wonder if I will ever pass by the sunflowers again, without experiencing some uneasiness associated with the memory of the panic they caused me.

As I write this, it occurs to me that I need to forgive the sunflowers. Forgiveness may well be the cure for my PTSD. I need to forgive and forget in order to be set free. But can I do this? I’m reminded that God does this with me. God is not “triggered” by my past sins, my present sins, nor my future sins. He sees and knows them all – and yet He chooses something truly remarkable – forgiveness. I read in Jeremiah what God says,

“For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” (Jeremiah 31:34)

This is great news! God forgives me and forgets my sins. The prophet Micah understood this about God, writing –

“Who is a God like You, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; You will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.” (Micah 7:18-19)

If God can do all that for me, surely I can forgive the sunflowers their one and only transgression against me. God’s assurance of His forgiveness, gives me the freedom to live for Him, knowing He is not holding my past sins against me. He tells me this in Isaiah, saying –

“I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions, for My own sake, and remembers your sins no more.” (Isaiah 43:25)

Shouldn’t I do the same for the sunflowers and remember their crime no more? After all, I want the PTSD to stop. And there’s no reason to wait for an apology. The current sunflowers have no idea what their predecessors did to me. They weren’t even in the store when my missing credit card incident occurred. They were probably still unplanted seeds at that time. (see post – “it was the sunflowers”) So the choice is mine alone. The sunflowers are clueless. Kind of like I am sometimes. How grateful I am that these words are true –

“He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” (Psalm 103:10-12)

I’m so grateful to be the recipient of forgiveness that I want to be the giver of forgiveness, too. In fact, I will try to carry out Paul’s instructions in Ephesians, when he says –

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

I guess I can extend that to sunflowers, too.

sincerely, Grace Day

the detour

Posted on by Grace Day

I didn’t expect it yesterday and I definitely didn’t expect it again today – but there it was, again – the detour. The road was blocked. I couldn’t get through. I would have to find another way to get to my destination. Maybe not a huge problem for people with GPS, which is most everyone, actually. But for me, being GPSless, and in unfamiliar territory, an unexpected detour is a problem.

Being forced to make a quick decision, I turned left, no longer heading toward my destination, no longer in familiar territory. Searching for the first opportunity to turn right and head again in my desired direction, I found no such opportunity for quite some distance. When I did finally turn, I felt like I was pretty far off course. I was driving by a large park, which I entered at the next turn, promptly becoming even more lost, if that is possible? Are there degrees of lost? Can you be only a little lost as opposed to completely lost? At any rate, I didn’t know which way to take to get me back on the road I was on originally – the road that would eventually lead me to my desired destination.

But at least my surroundings were beautiful. I was in a park on a sunny fall day. Maybe I should just enjoy the detour and forget about my intended destination? Detours can do that, you know. If they are distracting enough, detours can cause you to forget where it was you were headed in the first place. But not today. I was determined. I would not let this unforeseen, unplanned detour, deter me from my desired destination. So what now?

I was at a “T” in the road, unsure which way to turn. (did I mention that I am naturally directionally challenged?) Fortunately, some people were walking by just then, so I rolled my window down and asked them for directions. They were happy to oblige and thanks to their good directions, I was able to find my way through and out of the park and back onto the road I needed to take me to my destination.

No longer lost, I felt relieved to be back on a familiar road. But I had some time to make up. After all, a detour is -“a long or roundabout route taken to avoid something . . .” I had avoided the runners/walkers participating in the charity event taking place, which is why the road was blocked off in the first place. However, my alternate route proved to be the very definition of “detour” – being both long and roundabout.

At the time, I thought this was just a one day event. So I was very surprised to encounter the same roadblock, at the same place, necessitating another detour the next day. I was put to the test. Would I remember the route I had taken only yesterday, which, though longer and definitely roundabout, did eventually get me back to my original road? I entered the park, recognized soon the place where I had asked directions the day before, remembered what those directions were, followed them again and – success! I came out on the road I recognized! I was no longer lost!

I felt like a conqueror. I think that’s because I didn’t panic, or give up, or turn around and go home due to my fear of getting lost. I didn’t let the detour deter me from reaching my ultimate destination. That’s how I feel about life’s detours – those obstacles, (life’s roadblocks) challenges, hardships, changes in circumstances, all those unforeseen, unplanned things that happen in life, which force me to take detours that I did not choose – I don’t want these detours to keep me from my intended, ultimate destination.

This is a continual challenge for me, because my life is full of detours. Maybe yours is too? But I have decided not to let any of these detours deter me from my destination. Not easy for someone directionally challenged, like myself. I so easily lose my way. It doesn’t take much of a detour to confuse me, confound me and carry me away from where I am desiring to go. When I was lost in the park, I wasn’t sure which way to go. All the roads looked equally inviting on such a beautiful fall day. I felt I was experiencing what the writer of Proverbs meant when he said –

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” (Proverbs 14:12)

How could I possibly know the outcome of each road? Only God knows “the end from the beginning.” I’m glad I humbled myself that day and asked someone who was familiar with the park for directions. I might have gone further off course if I hadn’t asked for help when I did. Reminds me of some more good advice from Proverbs. I am told to –

“Trust in the Lord with all my heart and lean not on my own understanding; in all my ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct my paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

I may not have GPS (which I hear can sometimes give less than the best directions?) but I do have God’s word to guide me through all of life’s detours. I can let Him “direct my paths.” When I lose my way, I turn to the One who is “the Way” –

“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’ ” (John 14:6)

And that’s where I’m headed. That’s my destination, the Father – my Father, my Heavenly Father. I’m headed to His house. He’s preparing a place for me there. I have accepted His invitation. I don’t want any detour to keep me from showing up. I don’t want to get lost, distracted, deceived, captured, or waylaid in any way while on my life’s journey to my home in heaven. He’s waiting for me there. He’s expecting me. Jesus promised –

“In My Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am.” (John 14:2-3)

I’m definitely headed home, but so many detours seem to slow my progress, whether by distracting me or by causing me to become hopelessly lost. Then I can end up wandering aimlessly, kind of like the Israelites wandering in the desert all those years. Still, I know that even in life’s detours, I am not alone. King David knew this to be true – must be why he wrote these words –

“Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? If I go up to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in the depths, You are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast.” (Psalm 139:7-10)

Truly comforting, my Heavenly Father travels with me on each and every detour I take. Sometimes I may be lost, but as Job says –

“He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.” (Job 23:10)

I feel like I encounter at least one detour daily, but often multiple detours. Not all are detours of the physical road experienced in a car. There are detours of the mind, heart, will, time and treasure which leave me equally lost, alone and afraid. Remembering that my Heavenly Father is with me during these detours, gives me the courage to continue in order to find my way back to Him.

During these detours, I find myself agreeing with Job. I don’t panic and lose hope because I remember this promise from Romans –

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

God works all things for good! even detours! I’ll try and remember that next time I have to take the longer, more roundabout route, aka. “the detour”

sincerely, Grace Day

the offering

Posted on by Grace Day

How did one boy’s lunch become a feast that fed five thousand men, plus all the women and children that were with them? Simple. He gave all he had, his whole lunch – five small barley loaves and two small fish – these he gave to Jesus. It was not nearly enough to meet the need of feeding the hungry crowd gathered to hear what Jesus had to say. But the boy surrendered his lunch anyway, though it seemed as nothing compared with so great a need.

BUT – “Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. When they had all had enough to eat, He said to His disciples, ‘Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.’ So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.” (John 6:11-13)

They all had “enough to eat” and there were leftovers! That’s what I meant by “a feast.” There was plenty for everyone. A miracle! Could it be miracles happen when we give everything to God? when we hold nothing back? The boy that day gave his whole lunch to Jesus. He held nothing back for himself. Am I brave enough to do likewise?

That young boy didn’t have much to give that day on the hillside. I don’t feel like I do either, most days – have much to give that is. Jesus took that boy’s little and turned it into a lot. He turned it into not just enough, but more than enough. Truly a miracle amid the mundane of the day. Maybe that’s how it works – the offering precedes the miracle? I give myself to God – then He takes the offering of my life and does the impossible – complete transformation – a miracle!

Lord, I don’t have much to offer You. I give You my brokenness. I offer You all of me, all that I am, trusting You to put me back together – to make me whole.

Lord, I give You all my fears, trusting You to make me courageous.

“For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7)

Lord, I give all my pain and sadness to You, trusting Your presence to be my comfort and my joy.

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:10)

“You turned my wailing into dancing; You removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,” (Psalm 30:11)

Lord, I’ve been burned. I bring You the ashes of my life, knowing only You can make something beautiful out of ugly ashes.

“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord . . . has sent me . . . to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,” (Isaiah 61:3)

Lord, I give you my despair, knowing only You can replace it with hope.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)

Lord, I give you all my doubts, asking You to fill me with faith, for You have said –

“I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matthew 17:20-21)

Lord, it doesn’t seem like I have much to offer to You, besides my sin and my shame. But still, You invite me to offer even this to You, saying –

” ‘Come now, let us reason together,’ says the Lord. ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.’ ” (Isaiah 1:18)

There’s that miraculous transformation that only You can do Lord. Just like the little boy and his lunch – it wasn’t nearly enough but You made it more than enough. Today, I offer you my broken, weary, doubtful, fearful, sinful self – knowing only You, Lord, can make something eternal and good out of what is temporal and sinful. You are the miracle worker, so I bring my offering to You alone. You invite me to do just this with these words –

“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 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. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

today I offer you myself, all that I have, all that I am – not nearly enough – trusting You to take what I offer and make it into something beautiful for eternity –

“being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry in on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6)

sincerely, Grace Day

every breath a prayer

Posted on by Grace Day

“Pray without ceasing” – “pray continually” – “never stop praying” – these are all translations of 1 Thessalonians 5:17 from the KJV, the NIV, and the NLT respectively. But no matter the translation, the message is clear. Prayer is meant to be more than just something on my “to-do” list that I give twenty minutes out of my day, then check it off my list without another thought. Prayer is meant to be a twenty-four/seven life-line – a line that is always open, a line continually in use. I am given this instruction in Ephesians –

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.” (Ephesians 6:18)

Does prayer seem elusive or futile or too difficult for us mere mortals to even attempt? I am told in Hebrews that I can –

“approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that I may receive mercy and find grace to help me in my time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16)

That is pretty much an open invitation to talk to my Heavenly Father any time I want without the fear that I will be turned away or denied access to an audience with my Creator. Esther, who wanted to speak with the king, her own husband, risked being put to death for simply asking permission to come into his presence, if the king didn’t feel like seeing her at that particular time. Unlike Esther, I have all the assurance I need to encourage me to come boldly into God’s presence through prayer. I have God’s promise that I will be received, that I will be heard, I will be given mercy, and I will find His grace sufficient for my need. In fact, I have this open invitation –

“Cast all your cares on Him because He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)

When I “vent” to friends I worry that I may be overloading them with my burdens when they already have more than enough troubles of their own. With God, I need not have this fear because nothing is too hard for God, nothing surprises Him – He already knows my hurts, my fears, my worries. God knows what challenges I am facing and what I need in order to live this day in a way that honors Him.

“Before a word is on my tongue, You know it completely, O Lord.” (Psalm 139:4)

However, I don’t want to take advantage of my Heavenly Father’s offer to “cast all my cares on Him” – prayer is meant to be more than just a complaint session, although God is more than able to handle anything and everything I bring to Him in prayer. I am told to praise God and to thank Him. After all, He is worthy of my praise and my gratitude because –

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17) The psalmist reminds us –

“Let them give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for men. Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of His works with songs of joy.” (Psalm 107:21-22)

Just thanking God and praising Him would take up more time than there is in a day – there is not enough time for me to properly praise and truly thank Him for who He is and all that He has done and is doing. I guess that’s why we need eternity. Praising and thanking an infinitely good God takes more time than I have now! And that’s with praying twenty-four/seven.

But the privilege of prayer extends to something more – more than requests and complaints, more than confession and repentance, more than praise and thanksgiving – I am also given the privilege of praying for others. I can pray the prayers of an intercessor. In fact, I am charged with doing this –

“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” (1 Timothy 2:1-2)

and I am to “always keep on praying for all the saints.” But there’s more. Not only am I to pray for kings and leaders and other believers (the saints) BUT – here’s a surprise –

“I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:44-45)

Luke 6:28 tells me to – “pray for those who mistreat you.”

As if my list of things and people to pray about and for isn’t long enough already, now I have to add people who are mean to me to my list? This hardly seems fair. But then I remember that Jesus is praying for me, making intercession for me, continuously, never missing a moment, no matter whether I am acting rightly or wrongly towards Him and towards other people. Jesus prays for me when I am His friend. He prays for me when I am His enemy.

Jesus gave me the ultimate example of praying for my enemies when He spoke these words from the cross –

“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34)

Jesus is still praying for each and every one today, including you and me. Hebrews confirms this saying,

“because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood. Therefore He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them.” (Hebrews 7:24-25)

Romans confirms this saying – “Jesus Christ . . . is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” (Romans 8:34)

Jesus is interceding for me, and I am given the privilege of interceding for others, even my enemies, through prayer. Between that and “casting all my cares” or giving all my worries to God through prayer and praising Him and thanking Him and worshiping Him through prayer – I can literally spend my days in prayer to God.

I want to spend my days in my Heavenly Father’s presence and it is prayer that ushers me into His presence. Prayer is the reason I enter boldly into God’s throne room. Prayer is what keeps me there. As the song says – “I need thee every hour.”

As the psalmist says – “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.” (Psalm 150:6)

as for me – may my every breath be a prayer to God – whether prayers of praise, prayers of thanksgiving, prayers of petition, prayers of confession, cries of complaint and lament, cries of repentance, cries for help, or prayers of intercession for my friends and my foes alike –

let my every breath be a prayer!

sincerely, Grace Day