August 2022 Prayer

Photo by Public Domain Pictures on Pexels.com

Lord God, help us to pray more and worry less in this new month. Lord God, help us to read Your Word and cling to You more this month. So many things are competing for our attention, help us to know the best from the good. Lord God, prepare us to stand firm for You. Thank You and praise You Jesus that when we do not know what or how to pray, You intercede on our behalf.

Lord God, give Your people minds to discern what is true and false. Give us wisdom in all areas of life. Help us Lord to ask questions about what we are seeing, hearing and reading rather than just accepting everything that is being told to us. Lord God, help us to not fear what is coming, but to take courage in You. Help us to not give up but to endure staying in the race until You call us home.

Lord God, may we praise You more this month. Lord, may we decrease thinking about how to please ourselves this month. Help us to look for ways to do good.

Lord, political opinions are everywhere, and everyone has one, myself included. Lord, may we be more on fire for You than for political causes.

Lord God, when I started this blog four years ago, I never imagined I would struggle with knowing how to pray for my readers. Lord God, I ask that You help this reader process current events in the light of Your Word. I ask Lord that You will use this reader to be a light to the people around them. Lord God, I ask that You will give this reader a heart that desires to glorify You. And for the reader who does not know You, may today be their day of salvation.

Thank You Jesus that this world is not our home! Remind us that we do not need to fear the darkness that is coming. Lord God, thank You and praise You that for those of us who know Jesus as Lord and Savior we can have peace instead of anxiety. Lord God, I ask that You will fill this reader with grace and mercy. Lord God, draw this reader closer to You. Help and prepare this reader Lord to endure hard times. Thank You again Lord for this reader. Encourage them today. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

July 2022 Prayer

Lord God, may we hunger and thirst for You more this month. Lord God, there is no denying this world is changing: from weather patterns, to governments, to war and rumors of war, to famines, food shortages and inflation. Lord, revive us with the promises of Your Word.

Lord God, much of what we see and hear is negative, help us to counter this world’s evil with Your Good News. Lord God, there is so much wickedness in this world and I ask that You help Your people to live victorious and not defeated.

Remind us Lord that You are aware of the trials that we face. Remind us Lord that You will never waste our hurts when we surrender them to You. Lord, help us to learn to forgive more this month. Help us to encourage others more this month. Help us to put You first more this month.

Lord God, I pray for my brothers and sisters with health issues, I ask Lord for Your calming peace to fill each of them. Lord God, for our brothers and sisters who are having marital issues, I ask Lord for patience and listening hearts. Lord, I ask that Your grace and mercy will be what Your people cling to in this month.

Thank You and praise You Jesus that each day is one day closer to Your return. Lord God, thank You for this reader. May this month be one of personal growth and reflection. Lord, help this reader prepare in whatever manner You lead them. Lord, prepare our hearts for what You want to do in and through us. Lord God, may this believer reflect Christ in all they do. We thank You and we love You Lord. Thank You again for this reader. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Sunset June 28, 2022

Sunset. Bluebird on top of pine tree. Photo taken by Mandy Sweigart-Quinn.

Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth! (Psalm 46:10 ESV)

Lord God, in the midst of the chaos and uncertainty, help us to pause and meditate on You. Lord God, may we not let the sun go down on our anger. Lord God, may Your peace prevail in Your peoples lives, even when the storms and trials rage.

Lord God, may Your people love You and desire You more each day. May Your people be reminded that You will vindicate Yourself; You do not ask Your people to take vengeance into our own hands.

Lord God, as I pray sitting around the fire, I ask that You will remind us that the judgment that is coming will reveal our our hearts and actions. Lord You are an all consuming fire, may we never take Your grace and mercy for granted. Praise You Jesus that one day all the nations will bow before You.

Thank You Lord for this reader. May the glow of the sun and fire point this reader to the True Son, the One who paid it all. Lord, what a gift it is to have people to pray for! Even when we may be annoyed or agitated, thank You Lord for the opportunity to commune with You in prayer and interceding for others. Bless this reader as only You can. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Photo taken by Mandy Sweigart-Quinn
Photo taken by Mandy Sweigart-Quinn
Photo taken by Mandy Sweigart-Quinn
Praying for y’all! Photo taken by Nathan Quinn.

June 2022 Prayer

Photo taken by Mandy Sweigart-Quinn.

Lord God, as You care for the flowers, birds and trees, so too will You care for Your people in this new month. Lord God, thank You that nothing is beyond Your control!

Lord God, help us to become more like Christ in this new month. Lord God, Your Word in both the Old and New Testament tell us not to be surprised or taken off guard by war, rumors of war, pestilence, disease, food shortages, famine and persecution.

Lord God, help Your people to endure trials and to be patient with people more this month. Father God, as the weather in the North heats up, help Your people to be agents of peace and reconciliation not sowers of discord and malice. Lord, help Your people to exercise reason and common sense so that cooler, tempered minds, hearts and hands may prevail.

Lord God, reveal to this reader and myself where we are starting to compromise and look more like the world. Reveal to us in this new month Lord what we are holding on too tightly. Lord God, root out anything in us that is keeping us from growing closer to You!

Lord God, give Your people increased wisdom and discernment in this new month. Lord, it is blatantly obvious that we are living in a post-Christian time period. Help us to be good stewards and witnesses for You as the time of Jesus’s return is nearer with each passing moment.

Lord God, prepare Your people for what they will face, not only this month but in the months to follow. Lord God, Your Word is life; it is our comfort and joy. Help us to apply Your Word this month so that we will be prepared to stand firm in the trials that we face.

Lord God, I pray for the reader who has wandered from the faith, Lord, stir their heart to return to You. Lord God, for the reader who is hostile to the faith, if You lead them to this prayer may You convict them of their sin and their need for a Savior. Regardless of where one positions themselves in regards to the elect/called/chosen/whomsoever, thank You and praise You Lord that You are the One who save us from start to finish. It is not our work or achievements but Christ crucified, buried, resurrected and ascended who is the Redeeming Savior for all those who trust and believe in Him.

Lord God, I am reminded in John 10 that You are the Good Shepherd. But before that, You say You are the Door/Gate for the sheep. So often Lord we want Your provision, protection and blessing as the Good Shepherd but we do not want Your exclusivity, we do not want to enter through the narrow door, walking the narrow path of obedience. Lord God, convict us of our arrogance, our hypocrisy and our lack of love and reverence for You. May we NEVER forget Jesus that You are the Way, the Truth and the Life and that no one comes to the Father except through You (John 14:6).

Lord God, thank You for this reader. Thank You that You know everything about this reader and what they will face this month. Strengthen and guide this reader Lord to lead the lost to You, to encourage believers and to glorify You. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

5 days of fun!

Houseboat on Raystown Lake, 23 May 2022. Photo taken by Mandy Sweigart-Quinn.

After making the 2.5 hour drive with my mom, Nathan, PQ and I all sitting in the front of Nathan’s Ram 2500 [Nathan wanted me to clarify], we have made it to Raystown Lake! I am eager and excited to commune with the Lord through reading His Word and fishing. God has been merciful to me in helping me finish both of my classes well.

I am beyond thankful for you, dear reader. I appreciate your prayers, your encouragement and your support. I am humbled by the love and care you show me! I look forward to sharing this time away with you!!!

Lord God, thank You for this reader! Thank You Lord for the opportunity to come out again to Raystown Lake and to bring my mom! Lord God, I look forward to this adventure! Lord, I look forward to what You will teach me and convict me of on this trip. Lord God, thank You again for this reader. Bless this reader’s week and draw them closer to You. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Happy photo of the 4 of us. We will see what we look like come Friday!!! My mom already said, “there will be no other photos of me!”
This is Nathan summed up in a t-shirt!

Happy Birthday, Mom!

I am SO thankful for the opportunity to celebrate my mom’s birthday with her in person this year! When I was younger, I always combined Mother’s Day and my mom’s birthday together. It is a well known fact that a few times in my younger years, I waited until May 15th to buy my mom her present. I look back on that and laugh! I am so thankful for my mom’s patience with me!

Other than going to church today, I have no clue what she will want to do today. I am excited to celebrate her! I am praying that the gifts Nathan and I found for my mom this year are better than last year’s! (This is what I got her last year, if you’re a curious soul like myself: My mom loves flowers and she always says how she doesn’t know anything about Florida’s flora and fauna; so, I got her some books—bad move, Mandy! She also said she missed some of her old music she had on cds so I got her a small CD player and some cds—I am still learning just because a person says something, doesn’t mean they actually want it!)

What humbles me about my mom is how much she matters to so many people. My mom is a wise woman and it is a joy to hear how much people love my mom and how she has helped them. I don’t know why God picked my mom for me, but I am glad He did! Happy Birthday, Mom! I love you!

Lord God, thank You and praise You that You are a life affirming God. In a day in age where people are seeking to destroy and end life, help us to celebrate life! Lord, may we never cease celebrating You, the Author and Giver of Life! Thank You Lord for my mom! Thank You for this life You have given her. Lord, may this new year be one of blessing and growth in You. Lord, thank You for this reader! Thank You for the opportunity to share You and mom to the whomsoever that reads this. Fill this reader with Your joy and peace today. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

May 2022 Prayer

Photo taken by Mandy Sweigart-Quinn.

Lord God, prepare us for this new month. Lord, whether we live in a place where it’s spring, fall, rainy season or dry, help us to love and serve You right where we are.

Lord God, when we aren’t surrounded by Big “I” we are inundated with digital “i” (and android). Help us Lord to not live for Big “I.” Lord God, convict us if we have made ourselves slaves to our digital devices. Lord God, help us to unplug more this month. Help us to take inventory of how we are using the web and social media this month.

Lord God, there is so much restlessness, anxiety and agitation in our world today. Help Your people Lord to trust and depend on You. Lord God, help us to be more concerned about sharing Your Word and defending Your Truth. There is so much negativity and falsity Lord. Help Your people to be discerning!

Lord God, thank You that nothing in this world surprises You. Lord God, I pray for my brothers and sisters who are being persecuted for their faith. Strengthen them, encourage them, fill them with the peace of Your Presence.

Lord God, help us to prepare now for living in even more difficult times. I don’t know what it will be like in the last days, but I do know that evil and wickedness are increasing. How us to be a light in this dark world as we separate ourselves from this dying world system.

Thank You Lord for this reader. Lord, may this reader find comfort and strength in You this month. Guide this reader Lord on the path they should go. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Fragrant!

Photo taken by Nathan Quinn.

I absolutely love the smell of my cherry tree!!! Every time I encounter a fragrant tree, shrub, bush or flower I am reminded of 2 Corinthians 2:14–16:

But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life (ESV).

Lord God, may everyone we encounter smell Jesus on us. Lord God, may we be a fragrant aroma to those in the faith and not shy away and shrink back from being an odious and offensive stench to the unbelieving world. Lord God, thank You for the life that we have in Christ. Lord God, fill this reader with Your presence. Thank You Lord for Your creation. Lord God, may our worship be a pleasing aroma to You. Thank You and praise You Father for Your love for us. Jesus thank You that we are Your Ambassadors and Holy Spirit thank You for indwelling and sealing us. May we be a pleasing aroma to You. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.