God, while we wait for things to happen in our lives I pray that we continue to serve you and worship you God. In waiting, I pray we grow closer to You.

God I thank you so much for the people I’m going to lift up to you right now.

God, I thank you for Crysti. That she is courageous enough to serve our country in the National Gaurd. You know what she’s going through, God. Give her your love so that she can forgive. Open her heart to receive direction and wisdom to know what to do. I pray that you give her everything she needs to get through the situation she’s going through and come over stronger than ever.

I want to lift up my youth pastor, Alex Dimare. He has so much on his plate right now, God. Satan has really been attacking his relationship and what he’s doing in the church. I pray that you give him wisdom, God, that you speak to him clearly and let him know the direction he needs to take United.

God thank you so much that Raigen feels so lovingly about her aunt. Her aunt is sick and has been hurting and I pray that you give her strength to push through this fight she’s enduring. God I pray that you take away her pain in every way possible. Give her peace in everything she does, just let her know You are there for her, God.

God, thank you for Karissa Allshouse. She is a wonderful woman of God- so encouraging and loving to everyone around her. God let her walk by faith and not by sight. Help her see through the eyes of Jesus, not through the eyes of her flesh. Give her peace about her future trip to Africa and trust that you will provide everything she needs, whether it be financial or family-wise. Please provide.

Ariel and Isaac are an amazing couple, God. You know what they’ve been through and what they’re going through and I pray that you give them strength in their relationship. Dig their roots deeper and help them with arguments, financial situations, emotional situations, etc. Give them everything they need to get ready for their future wedding, God. Help them with money. I pray that you show them what they need to do to become stronger in their relationship.

God I pray that you give Emily the right words to say in her situation. Speak through her God while she speaks to her friend. I pray for peace for his mind as well, God. I know how hard it is to try something new, such as going to church and putting all your trust in You. Just help his mind and her speech make a huge breakthrough. And I thank you that Emily has not given up and continues to try her hardest to bring another youth to You.

God I want to pray for my great friend Lizze. I pray that you bring us closer as friends and lovers of Christ. Show us through each other what we need to do in our similar situations. I pray that you allow us to cry together and love together, to encourage and endure together. I pray thatyou speak to her clearly and give her great direction. And I pray that she allows it to penetrate her and that she is willing to listen to it.

God I pray for my friend Katie. She is lost like me. Every direction she walks in her relationship bring blindness, confusion, and sadness. God I pray that you being her mind peace and speak to her through the people around her. I pray that you keep Satan at bay so she can continue to grow in her relationship with You.

God… I know I’m not in any position to give anyone advice. So don’t let me. But I’m in the perfect position to pray. So help me. I need you more than ever right now, and I’m sorry I haven’t been who you want me to be. Maybe I hear from you daily, but I can’t tell. Speak clearly to me, God. Show me what you want me to do. No, don’t show… tell me. I’m broken and miserable. I’ve lost the only person I’ve ever truly loved. And I NEED your help God. Tell me clearly, with no interference, what to do. Don’t let anything cloud the Truth. I need clarity, I need freedom, I need wisdom, I need salvation… again.

I’m getting baptized this Sunday, Jesus. Help me prepare to live with you and allow you to live in me to the fullest. Push everything else but you out of my mind this Sunday, show me Truth, show me the reason and the way I should be living. I give my everything to you, Jesus, and I’m sorry I have been taking that for granted.

I thank you for the trials you put me through, because I learn something great and important from each and every one. Thank you for the people you place in my life that help me on my journey and my walk with You. Thank you for allowing me to live in this place at this time, God. I pray that you help me take nothing for granted, and that you help me constantly be in prayer and in worship with you. I love you Jesus.

14) “You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives..” -James 4:2b-3a

Are you in need of something? I mean really need, not desire or simply want. Does your family desperately need money to pay rent or buy food? Need help moving or building something because you just physically cannot do it? Do you desperately need to be saved, to have freedom from depression or other trials that have come your way?

ASK GOD IN WORSHIP AND PRAYER. I cannot stress this enough. Ask with the correct motives and you shall receive. Knock and the door shall be opened.

13) I found power in James 3:1-12.

Like the tiny computer chip that accesses the internet… like the steering wheel of a car that manuevers two tons of steel… like the small dusting of poison that can kill an individual… your tongue is little compared to the rest of your body, but oh-so-very powerful. It has the power to shake another person’s confidence, reputation or joy- to do more evil than you can imagine. Or it has the power to build others up, point then to Jesus and praise God. Will you use this power for good or for evil?

12) James 1:27 says, “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”

As I read James just now, this stood out to me. I always wonder what exactly God wants me to do and what His opinion of a faultless religion is. Not being polluted by the world is so huge. Daily we let the world influence how we speak and act. We speak with arrogance and pride; we act in ways that saddens God and turns off the people around us.

But what God wants to see, and what He approves of, is a humble human striving to be as Godly as possible. Someone who cares for everyone around them, no matter their state, position, or race. Someone who ignores the temptation, materialism, and crudeness of the world and instead wants to be pure bodied and minded. Are you living out a “religion” God approves as pure and faultless?

11) Matthew 12:20 says, “A bruised reed he will not break, a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he leads justice to victory.” We go through so much every year, every month, every day. Broken relationships, bad financial states, hidden secrets. It may seem as if God has not been siding with you lately, like He’s thrown you in the pit of exhaustion, sorrow, and tragedy. But He hasn’t and never will.

This passage states that even if your heart of life(reed) is bruised, God has not given up. He will not stand aside and watch you break. If your enthusiasm for life or Christ(wick) is not engulfed in flames, He will not put it out. He will stand by you until you’re back on your feet, firm and strong.

I encourage you… if you long for freedom, if you feel broken in any way… let your faithful, loving Father know. Cry out to him. He loves to hear broken hearts longing to be mended. And because our God is so faithful, you can look forward to an answer.

10) Happy 4th of July!! What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of it? Fireworks? BBQs? I think of freedom. But really, no matter how many times society and government tries to tell you we live in a free country, it never really seems like it. Everything costs money, people are prejudiced, jails are full.

The only way we can really be ‘free’ is through God our Father. Freedom means “the absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action.” Through our Savior, we are strong enough to say no and to stand up for what we believe in. We realize we don’t need anything but the presence of God in our bodies and our lives. Through Christ we can experience true love. True peace. True friendship. True freedom. 

So for the next week I challenge you to lay all your troubles, worries, doubts, and wants at the foot of the cross. Give it all up to Jesus. Let nothing hold you back and allow freedom to galvanize through your daily activity. Paint your life bright with the colors of Christ.

9) Laugh at naughty jokes? Think dirty thoughts when you hear something suggestive? Say these things yourself? Proverbs 4:24 says, “Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk from your lips.”

God knows the world, and He knows it well. He is aware that media, friends, family, etc., influence our minds. In fact, He knows every thought that floats around your mind, let alone the words that come out of your mouth. But just because everyone else says perverse things does not mean it’s okay. God wants to hear gentle, kind words flow from your mouth, see pure thoughts form in your brain. When you strut an appropriate language, you also show your maturity, integrity, and self-discipline. God knows you have it in you, so don’t let your surroundings carry you off.

8) 1 John 2:15-17 says, “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world- the cravings of a sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does- comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.”

When I read this I think of one thing: materialism. Everyone in this world wants the best and newest of everytihing, when it does nothing for them. I mean sure it appeases a temporary desire, but that desire comes back. We’re never happy with what we have, always wanting more. This passage tells us that being materialistic comes not from God, but from the desire of the flesh, which doesn’t last. Why should we want these things when we could be grabbing hold of Christ and experiencing real joy and fulfillment? I know you’ve heard the saying, “material girl in a material world,” but what you should want to be is Godly in this material world. Stand out by only desiring what God can offer; it lasts.

I Refuse by Josh Wilson

I searched for love when the night came and it closed in

I was alone but You found me where I was hiding

And now I’ll never be the same

It was the sweetest voice that called my name saying

You’re not alone, for I am here

Let me wipe away your every fear

My love, I’ve never left your side

I have seen you through the darkest night

And I’m the one who’s loved you all your life

All your life

You cry yourself to sleep

Cuz the hurt is real and the pain cuts deep

All hope seems lost with heartache, you’re closest friend

And everyone else long gone

You’ve had to face the music on your own

But there is a sweeter song that calls you home saying

You’re not alone, for I am here

Let me wipe away your every tear

My love, I’ve never left your side

I have seen you through the darkest night

And I’m the one who’s loved you all your life

All your life

Faithful and true forever

My love will carry you

You’re not alone, for I am here

Let me wipe away your every tear

My love, I’ve never left your side

I have seen you through the darkest night

And I’m the one who’s loved you all your life

All your life

You’re Not Alone- Meredith Andrews