On this National Day of Prayer, it seems fitting to pray, to offer a prayer from the heart. To talk to Him and then listen for His voice echoing back love to us. Today, let’s pause and quiet down, and listen up- looking up to Him who gives hope. The kind of hope that is an anchor for our soul, for our nation, for the world. Let’s pour out what’s within and let Him answer back, filling up our broken with truth, and pointing us again straight to His heart, to Jesus.
Wow, it’s been a long time since I talked to you like this. Sure, I write the thanks, line-by-line, but this is more of a conversation…not just a passerby nod of recognition and appreciation. Why have I stayed away? Not really sure. Probably fear. Fear of what might happen, like correction, rebuke, disappointment, disapproval…not measuring up. Oh this dreaded ruler! It always evaluates how I stack- I try to stack the deck- tip the scales in my favor. And what of favor? It is here surprisingly,
by grace. Not because I am great but because You are the Great I AM.
You are much more vast than I realize or grasp. Yet You are also near, like a comforting cup of peach rooibos tea in hand. A deep breath, a simple delight, rest for the striving soul. You do not change. You move, yes, but You remain too. Always above, and within, and behind. You hem me in, even when I feel frayed, on the verge of falling apart. There, especially there, You meet me and surprise me, showing up in unexpected ways, waiting patiently for me to ask for help. You gladly step in. As I wonder if the infrequent, lackluster prayers change much, You give me a glimpse. You peel back the curtain just a peek and light pours in thick, revealing hope, offering needed revelation.
This matters. You matter. Oh child, I hear you. I hear the reverberations down deep in your soul. I ache with you, and yet I also rejoice with, and over, you in a wild dance of approval. I sing over you with a stirring refrain of hope, anticipating our reunion.
I can be trusted fully with the dreams that I have imprinted upon your heart. It is coming to fruition my love. If not now on earth, than here with Me. Oh child, if here, how much grander it will be. It brings me such joy to spend time with you and give you good, oh so good, gifts. We will share them together with utter delight, because there are My will for you too. If not there on earth, than here. What I speak will be accomplished.
Hold on.
Lean in as I help you press on.
One more step.
With each step you are gaining ground.
This battleground.
As you step you gain the territory that I already won.
Remember, I win the war
and I champion your heart.
You, the prize.
I am coming for you love.
The adventure is together.
You feel alone, discouraged and tempted to flee- to leave this field.
But don’t…
Stay.
Remain.
I will not let go.
I will not walk out.
I am with you.
I am for you.
We march forth, you and I.
I don’t leave.
I stay.
Darling, do you believe it?
My words for you-
do you hear them, really, do you know?
I long for you to know…
to know my heart, even a glimpse
of this riveting, unending love that I have for you.
If you knew, even this glimpse, feeling the beat, the pulse, the pound-
it would set you free in life-changing ways.
I am able to remove the stopper, to clear the mind, to remove the veil.
You are mine. Not by force, but through a willing heart that beats to draw you,
with birds’ song and sunrise color bursting brilliant and the waves crashing over.
The symphony swells in a crescendo of My uninhibited affections
and you miss it, often, far too often
you graze over this extravagant, covenant love.
I see you.
Oh, I know you.
I get you.
I formed your shape, carefully carving and molding with great attention to detail.
I signed My name proud, stamping Our image upon you.
I whisper your name- full.
I call to you,
‘You are mine.
You belong.
You are not second best or last pick.
You are chosen.
You.
Yes, you,
I’m talking to you.
Eyes locked-in, knowing and gentle, an “all-in” gaze.
I see you daughter.
I see you Beloved.
I speak life.
Awaken. Rise up. Eyes wide. Breathe it in. Reach out.
Senses reprogrammed…to life.
Alive with love, standing upright.
No more slumping shoulders.
No more avoiding or fleeing for your life.
This is not a reprimand, it is the look of love.
Love that resurrects, that breaths life into dead places.
And so, I ask you to stay.
To remain right here under this loud declarative display of love,
that holds you close,
I hold all of you close.
Love,
Jesus
