TRANSCRIPTION 🔗
WEBVTT
00:00:29.920 --> 00:00:34.079
Every day brings opportunities to see life a little differently.
00:00:34.399 --> 00:00:41.359
Sometimes all it takes is an unexpected encounter or a moment that changes our perspective.
00:00:41.679 --> 00:00:43.280
Prayer can do that.
00:00:44.000 --> 00:00:50.880
It invites us to see beyond what's right in front of us and discover how God is at work in our lives.
00:00:51.439 --> 00:00:56.320
So let's give him these next few minutes and see where he leads us.
00:00:57.600 --> 00:00:59.119
Let us pray.
00:01:00.560 --> 00:01:05.120
In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
00:01:05.359 --> 00:01:05.760
Amen.
00:01:07.040 --> 00:01:09.599
O Lord, open my lips.
00:01:09.840 --> 00:01:12.799
And my mouth shall declare your praise.
00:01:15.519 --> 00:01:17.120
Psalm 83.
00:01:17.840 --> 00:01:19.920
Clothe us in peace.
00:01:23.439 --> 00:01:30.079
Cloth us in the dress of your peace, O Lord, and the stronghold of your mercy.
00:01:30.560 --> 00:01:36.400
Let us walk and choose integrity and put on the mantle of truth.
00:01:39.280 --> 00:01:55.840
Let us shed the tatters of envy and fear, the rags of anger and greed, and say, We shall seek only the truth, the truth that will set us free.
00:02:00.000 --> 00:02:15.120
O God, let all that is unholy within us be cleansed, erased as chalk from a slate, as fire consumes the forest, as the flame reaches up to the heavens.
00:02:19.280 --> 00:02:26.319
Let the refining fire of your love reach into the hidden places within our hearts.
00:02:27.439 --> 00:02:34.800
Forgive us, and let the deep regret of our souls rise up as contrite offerings.
00:02:38.960 --> 00:02:45.280
Let the people seek your word, let the nations turn from violence and destruction.
00:02:45.759 --> 00:02:53.919
Let them know that you alone, you who reign with love, are the most high over all the earth.
00:02:56.000 --> 00:02:59.680
Glory be to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
00:03:00.000 --> 00:03:04.560
As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever.
00:03:04.879 --> 00:03:05.520
Amen.
00:03:25.599 --> 00:03:37.599
Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength, soar on eagle's wings, run and not grow weary, and walk and not grow faint.
00:03:38.800 --> 00:03:40.639
The word of the Lord.
00:03:44.800 --> 00:03:50.879
There is something about this scripture that brings me a deep sense of peace.
00:03:51.599 --> 00:03:56.400
I think it's because I know from personal experience that it's true.
00:03:57.520 --> 00:04:06.719
When we place our hope in the Lord, especially during difficult times, he gives us a strength that we sometimes don't even know we have.
00:04:07.840 --> 00:04:12.479
I learned this in a very personal way through my daughter Kelsey.
00:04:13.439 --> 00:04:16.959
When Kelsey was 19, she became very sick.
00:04:17.920 --> 00:04:21.199
For four years, she was in and out of hospitals.
00:04:21.600 --> 00:04:30.560
I watched my young, active daughter become so weak that she eventually lost her ability to walk on her own.
00:04:32.079 --> 00:04:36.079
There were mornings when she couldn't bend her knees without help.
00:04:36.319 --> 00:04:40.160
She was so weak she couldn't lift a glass to her mouth.
00:04:41.040 --> 00:04:45.360
As a mother, it was heartbreaking to watch her suffer.
00:04:46.000 --> 00:04:47.519
So we prayed.
00:04:47.839 --> 00:04:51.199
And we invited many others to pray with us.
00:04:52.480 --> 00:05:03.680
Kelsey was always a very spiritual person, and even during those difficult years, she told me, I will never lose hope.
00:05:04.319 --> 00:05:10.079
One day I asked her, How do you hold on to hope when you're hurting so badly?
00:05:11.279 --> 00:05:14.560
Her answer has stayed with me ever since.
00:05:15.360 --> 00:05:29.680
She said, In the darkest moments when I see no end in sight, I see myself reaching for God, and I imagine his hand reaching down and grabbing mine.
00:05:30.720 --> 00:05:36.079
Then I realize that I'm not alone in my suffering and I don't let go.
00:05:38.480 --> 00:05:44.160
In her suffering, she taught me about faith and hope.
00:05:45.519 --> 00:05:51.439
Sometimes faith isn't about understanding why something is happening.
00:05:51.920 --> 00:05:58.639
Sometimes faith is simply reaching out your hand and trusting that God is reaching back.
00:05:59.360 --> 00:06:10.079
It's knowing that as we physically and emotionally grow weaker, God does not grow weary and He gives us all that we need.
00:06:11.920 --> 00:06:18.000
Against all odds, Kelsey got healthy, got married, and has a healthy baby girl.
00:06:18.800 --> 00:06:24.079
Today she shares her faith with young people and teaches them about God.
00:06:25.519 --> 00:06:29.920
When I look at Kelsey's journey, I think about those words from Isaiah.
00:06:35.040 --> 00:06:39.199
Kelsey couldn't see what the future would hold, neither could I.
00:06:39.839 --> 00:06:44.480
But she kept reaching for God, and God kept holding on to her.
00:06:45.920 --> 00:06:48.000
I think that's true for all of us.
00:06:48.959 --> 00:06:53.360
There will be times when we are tired, frightened, or discouraged.
00:06:53.920 --> 00:06:57.199
There may be moments when we cannot see a way forward.
00:06:58.160 --> 00:07:02.720
And sometimes the path God gives us is not the path that we would have chosen.
00:07:04.000 --> 00:07:07.519
But God promises that we will never walk it alone.
00:07:08.160 --> 00:07:11.279
Sometimes He gives us the strength to soar.
00:07:11.839 --> 00:07:17.040
And sometimes he simply gives us the strength to take one more step.
00:07:20.879 --> 00:07:27.120
So if you're going through something difficult today, keep reaching for God.
00:07:27.759 --> 00:07:37.920
Keep praying, keep hoping, because He is always reaching for you, and He will renew your strength.
00:08:07.839 --> 00:08:10.160
Place it before the Lord now.
00:08:14.639 --> 00:08:17.120
With confidence we pray.
00:08:27.600 --> 00:08:41.759
Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
00:08:42.080 --> 00:08:42.720
Amen.
00:08:45.279 --> 00:08:46.879
Let us pray.
00:08:47.519 --> 00:08:57.200
Lord of unfailing strength, you know the weight of every sorrow and the prayers whispered through tears.
00:08:58.159 --> 00:09:07.840
When our strength is spent and tomorrow lies hidden from view, let us feel the gentle touch of your peace.
00:09:08.799 --> 00:09:18.559
May your grace lift what we cannot carry, and may the promise of your presence give us courage for the journey ahead.
00:09:19.440 --> 00:09:22.399
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
00:09:22.799 --> 00:09:23.360
Amen.
00:09:26.000 --> 00:09:28.240
And now we pray.
00:09:28.639 --> 00:09:31.279
To you do I belong, O God.
00:09:31.840 --> 00:09:34.960
Into your hands I surrender my life.
00:09:35.279 --> 00:09:45.440
Pour out your Spirit upon me, that I may love you perfectly and serve you faithfully until my soul rests in you.
00:09:48.080 --> 00:09:50.240
Thank you for praying with us today.
00:09:50.480 --> 00:10:00.000
Whatever the day ahead brings, may you find little reminders that God's love is closer than you think, especially when you need it most.
00:10:00.480 --> 00:10:06.720
And may God bless us in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
00:10:07.120 --> 00:10:07.759
Amen.
00:10:09.200 --> 00:10:13.840
Look for Christ in the small things until we pray again tomorrow.