A Prayer to Start Your Week

Today, we are focusing on one of the names of God, the Sun of Righteousness. May each believer start the week remembering how great it was to be set free from our old lives.

“But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture. Malachi 4:2 New Living Translation

 
Father,
 
The sun rises every morning. It has always been so. Thank You for the assurance that the Sun of Righteousness will also always rise to the occasion, healing and setting free those of us who reverence Your name.
 
I love that last part about rejoicing in our freedom, all excited and leaping about like someone who has been released from being penned up. This makes me think about how a lot of us were stuck inside during the recent snowstorm and were longing to be able to be out and about, enjoying Your world.
 
Life just seems good again when you are free to come and go.
 
Spiritually speaking, life feels great when you are not bound by strongholds and habits that led us onto a dark path.
 
Abba, let us feel joy like set-free calves again! Let us remember how wonderful it was to realize we don’t have to do what the carnal man would normally do. We want to be like our Elder Brother, Jesus, and please You with everything we do.
 
In Jesus’ name we pray, may many come to You today. So be it, amen.

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy. 

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Thanks for dropping by the Journey! I want to always share my post, A Ticket Home, for those who might not know the way Home. That is the best news I could ever share!

Sharing at Remember Me Monday

A Benediction to Your Day

This week's prompt from the Five Minute Friday community is the word, "benediction." Since I'm all about prayer, I thought I would join in on the conversation.

But first, I like to always look up the definition of the prompt, in order to catch all the nuances of the word. It might send me in a different direction!

The noun benediction comes from the Latin roots bene, meaning "well" and diction meaning "to speak" — literally to speak well of. Vocabulary.com

"It's a powerful moment where God's blessing is formally bestowed and sent out with people as they return to their daily lives, reinforcing faith and providing spiritual empowerment. ,,, Derived from Latin meaning "to speak well," it's a "good word" from God to people." [Google]

I feel excitement about this word so here are my thoughts:

GO

Since about the middle of 2024, I've been drawn to writing daily scripture prayers. I take a topic, such as the names or attributes of God, look up one verse a day on my topic, and then write a prayer based on the scripture.

Going on two years later, I'm loving the practice!

Here is what I found. The Word of God encourages! (Probably, you're thinking, I know that!) 

What I mean is, taking a deep dive into the scripture, getting the context, why did God say that? and who did he say that to? ... It becomes a mini bible study. I come away each day encouraged in some way.

In other words, I've received a good word from God, a benediction to my quiet time. He is sending me out with blessing and words of encouragement until I return the next morning and we do it all over again. He is reinforcing my faith.

BUT! I must take the time to come before Him to get this benediction.

STOP

This has become a spiritual practice for me and it is enriching!

Why don't you try it?

I'm sharing below an example. I looked up one of the names for Jesus which is, "Teacher," and this is what the Lord gave me:

You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. John 13:13 New Living Translation

 

NOTE: In the original language, this word was translated “Master,” and the meaning is “instructor.”

 

Father,

 

I love that You are my instructor; for so often, I’m at a loss to know what to do next.

 

I’m reminded of the scripture that says, “Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths.” Psalm 25:4

I take comfort that You will show us the path that is right for us and our callings.

 

You are so kind! You are so loving!

 

Lord, lead, guide and protect me and my people today. Help us make good choices and go where You send us. Let us keep You at the forefront of our thoughts, hearts and minds.

 

In Jesus’ name I pray, may many come to You today. So be it, amen.

 (adapted from a Prayer from 02/11/26)

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy. 

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Thanks for dropping by the Journey! I want to always share my post, A Ticket Home, for those who might not know the way Home. That is the best news I could ever share!

Sharing at Five Minute Friday

Longing for God to Show Up

Sometimes, you just need to know God sees the situation you are in. Here's a story from long ago ...

I had driven a long way to put my husband in the hospital. It was late when we got there. By the time the paperwork was done and he was tucked up in bed, it was near midnight.

I went out to the parking lot to start up our gas-hog of a van to go home ... but it wouldn't start. It was not a dead battery, it just wouldn't kick in no matter how many times I turned the key.

Great. Just great.

I trudged back into the hospital and wearily rang the buzzer to ask if I could come back inside and use their phone. (This was back before I had a cell phone.)

Who could I call at midnight for help so far from home?

I decided to call my Pastor.  I told him not to come then, for the hospital said I could lay down in their guest waiting room. He said he would come in the morning.

So, using a borrowed pillow and blanket, I bunked on a couch. I fit on the couch as long as I kept my knees bent. and waited for morning.

"God, how could you let this happen? Don't you care? This is like the worst day of my life. I can't even ask Jim what to do because they don't let anyone have any contact with him for 72 hours."

There's no doubt about it, I was feeling very sorry for myself.

STOP

(This post was written in response to the prompt "LONGING" given to the writers at the Five Minute Friday Community. My five minutes are up; but, wait! I have more!)

How I longed to be back home with my children and in my own bed! How I longed to have my husband whole again!

When morning came, Bro. Hester was there to pick me up, earlier than I expected. But he didn't come alone! He brought a mechanic with him from our home town to help get the van going. (I'd figured we'd have to leave it there and worry about it later.) 

Bro. Hester took me home in time for me to get my girls off the school bus that afternoon.

The mechanic knew just what to do, and once he had the van  running, he drove it home for me. 

My church family helped us pay for the parts.

I longed for God to speak audibly to me in my hour of distress; He chose to use His servants to get me back on the road.

I'm forever grateful for both the kindness of God and the kindness of Bro. Hester.

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A Prayer for When You are Longing for God to Show Up

When you seek me in prayer and worship, you will find me available to you. If you seek me with all your heart and soul, Jeremiah 29:13 New English Translation

 

And,

 

I will behave wisely in a perfect way. Oh, when will You come to me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. Psalm 101:2 New King James Version

 

Father,

 

Some of us might be feeling pretty low today. We feel we have been seeking You. You are on our mind constantly. Yet we are still longing to hear Your voice, to experience Your presence.

 

We cry like David, “When will You come to me?”

 

Yet, we know You are Wonderful and glorious and a good, good Father. We also know that sometimes You choose to come to us in the form of one of Your children's kindness to us.

 

Abba, Daddy … please lift us up, in whatever way You see best.

 

In Jesus’ name we pray, may many come to You today, so be it, amen.

 (adapted from a Prayer from 09/24/24)

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy. 

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Thanks for dropping by the Journey! I want to always share my post, A Ticket Home, for those who might not know the way Home. That is the best news I could ever share!

Sharing at Five Minute Friday and Remember Me Monday, Let's Have Coffee

A prayer for when it's cold outside

The view from my kitchen window

Everyone I know is currently surrounded by winter weather and frigid temps.

As soon as the weather forecast for a possible snow-palooza became known, we all started to prepare. I had several things that must be done on the day before the storm hit.

Thankfully, I was able to accomplish all needed tasks.

And then? It was time to get cozy and stay in. My favorite thing in the world! 

But even when you get to do things you love, eventually, you decide, it is enough.

Five days later, I made a trek into the frozen tundra (so to speak), and got back in the business of daily living.

Later, I heard reports of people in the Nashville, TN, area still struggling with no heat and frozen and busted water lines. 

I'm praying God helps them get restored as soon as possible.

You know, while we were all preparing for the storm, we were jamming the aisles at the grocery store buying up ALL the milk, bread, and eggs. We took the coming disaster seriously. WE didn't want to be unprepared.

STOP

This post was written in response to the prompt "COLD" given to the writers at the Five Minute Friday Community. My five minutes are up; but, wait! I have more!

Just like many of us heard the weather forecast and started preparing, we need to take the warning of the second coming of Christ even more seriously. Are we prepared? Are we getting everything done that we can before it happens?

And even if He doesn't come in our lifetime ... we don't know when our last day of life is. It could be tomorrow ...

Don't be unprepared!

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Let me share a prayer for believers to warm up your heart spiritually:

So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” Romans 8:15 New Living Translation

 
Abba,
 
How thankful we are for Your Spirit of Adoption for including us in Your family! Words cannot express our gratitude!
 
We deserve to be treated as lowly slaves, yet You identify believers as a son or a daughter of the King. You deserve our whole-hearted allegiance and we long for the day when we are at Home with You.
 
Father, I love knowing Your Holy Spirit is guiding us on our journey Home. And You, the Potter, are molding us into the image of Jesus. May we die daily to our agenda and seek Yours knowing You have the best in mind for us.
 
We love you with all our hearts, minds, soul and strength.
 
In Jesus’ name we pray, may many come to You today. So be it, Amen.

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy. 

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Thanks for dropping by the Journey! I want to always share my post, A Ticket Home, for those who might not know the way Home. That is the best news I could ever share!

Sharing at Five Minute Friday and Sweet Tea & Friends and Remember Me Monday

2026 Word of the Year - Publish

I have chosen "publish," as my 2026 word of the year. 

In 2026, I plan to make good news publicly known as often as possible. 

Mostly I will be sharing insights and truths from God's word and sightings of God's goodness in my life and the lives of friends and family.

My readers know I was part of Hope*Books Collaboration projects in 2025 and I earned the right to say I'm a published author for having contributed to two different books, "A Family Legacy: Passing Down Love, Wisdom and Tradition." and "The Advent Collection: hope, peace, joy, love."

It was an exciting year and I'm grateful.

2026 is now upon us and I'm busily working on my first novel to be published by Hope*Books. Actually, I've already written this novel. I've spoken of my efforts on the book for quite some time now, but publishing it is now in my grasp. 

The good news I will make known in my book is that no one is beyond redemption!

But there is more to publishing than books. Being the word-nerd that I am, I looked up the definition of "publish." The Cambridge Dictionary explains it like this:

To publish means to make a work (like a book, article, software, or music) available to the public, either physically or digitally, for sale or distribution; it also means to make something publicly known,  to announce it ...

I remember back in 2008 when I wrote my first blog-post (hey! I'm old!), it was with fear and excitement that I pressed the button labeled "publish." Nobody told me I could publish my post, it was totally my decision. What a rush! My words were out there ... and I was hooked.

It took me quite awhile to find my voice but I began to see my calling was to encourage. 

Much has happened over the years and I have had to fight to find time to write. Most of the struggle has been in my own head. But try as I might, I cannot give it up.

What is on your mind for 2026? What would you like to see happen? Share in the comments below, and let's lift each other up!

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy. 

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Thanks for dropping by the Journey! I want to always share my post, A Ticket Home, for those who might not know the way Home. That is the best news I could ever share!

Sharing at Lisa's link-up: January One Word Link-Up and at Let's Have Coffee

 

 

An Unusual Weekend

This is an unusual weekend for me.

We are in the middle of a winter storm warning that promises to be a snow-palooza. I don't know if it will actually happen in my area; but I know it's freezing and slick outside.

Sunday services are already cancelled.

Groceries have been hauled in.

Now, we sit huddled in our afghans, candles at the ready and wait to see what happens.

I always love snow weekends because I'm all about staying in my nest and being cozy. My idea of a good time is to curl up in blankies, read books and sip hot tea.

I try to turn my Type A brain off and not think about what will happen if I'm stuck at home until Wednesday and beyond.

I pray for linemen out in the weather keeping electricity going.

I pray for EMT's and first responders that they will have no accidents or work to do.

Most of all, I pray we are all sheltered underneath His wings.

What are you praying this weekend?

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy. 

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This post was written in response to the Five Minute Friday community's prompt, "unusual" The post was written in 5 minutes; looking up scripture and creating the graphic took longer.

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May I pray for you before I go?

² He sang:
“The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; 
³     my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.
He is my shield, the power that saves me,
    and my place of safety.
He is my refuge, my savior,

    the one who saves me from violence.

⁴ I called on the Lord, who is worthy of praise,

    and he saved me from my enemies. 

2 Samuel 22:2-4 New Living Translation

Lord,

When I discover all Your attributes, all that You are, it inspires trust. Who else can be my rock, my savior, my protection and place of safety? I am so thankful we can call on You and You will save us from our enemies.

There is no one like You! We will love and praise You forever!

Today, I stand on Your Word and claim protection and safety for my readers and their loved ones. Keep them safe from storms in the outside world, and storms in their personal lives.  We live in a world where the enemy works overtime sowing seeds of doubt, discouragement and despair. Let not a one of us fall prey to his lies.

Holy Spirit, please keep our eyes and attention focused on You. In Jesus’ name, so be it, amen.

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Thanks for dropping by the Journey! I want to always share my post, A Ticket Home, for those who might not know the way Home.

Also, I'm thrilled to tell you the book, "A Family's Legacy: Passing Down Love, Wisdom and Tradition," is now available. One of the chapters in that book was written by me; and I now have an Amazon author's page that has all the details. Click here.

Christmas is over, yet The Advent Collection - hope, peace, joy and love is still available and speaks to the waiting soul. You will find stories that will warm your heart and focus on God's fulfilled promise. This is a book you can revisit each advent and glean hope. My contribution is in the peace section of the book.

Sharing at Five Minute Friday

The Shield of My Defense

After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.” Genesis 15:1 New King James Version

Note: shield means protecter, defense, literally the scaly hide of a crocodile!
 
Abba,
 
I thank You for being my protector. You safeguard in so many ways – even those I cannot see or when I am unaware.
 
I also praise You for Your promise for trusting You – an exceedingly great reward. Sometimes it might not feel we are living a life of great reward; but oh! If we had spiritual eyes to see, we might be amazed at the things You’ve done for us – the path You have smoothed for us – the pitfalls You kept us from sliding in – the goodness and mercy racing to overtake us!
 
One day, we will sit at Your feet and learn these things. But for now, we just trust they are happening because You are a good, good Father, full of hesed – unfailing love.
 
Thank you to infinity and beyond.
 
In Jesus’ name, I pray, so be it, amen.

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy. 

~~

Thanks for dropping by the Journey! I want to always share my post, A Ticket Home, for those who might not know the way Home.

Also, I'm thrilled to tell you the book, "A Family's Legacy: Passing Down Love, Wisdom and Tradition," is now available. One of the chapters in that book was written by me; and I now have an Amazon author's page that has all the details. Click here.

Christmas is over, yet The Advent Collection - hope, peace, joy and love is still available and speaks to the waiting soul. You will find stories that will warm your heart and focus on God's fulfilled promise. This is a book you can revist each advent and glean hope. My contribution is in the peace section of the book.

Sharing at InstaEncouragements Link-Up