Returning to Intimacy

Category: Spiritual Category

  • Lifting Up our Spiritual Leadership

    Hebrews 13:17:
    “Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.”

    Like Moses during the battle against the Amalekites (Exodus 17:12-13), our leaders need support to stand firm amidst the challenges they face. As the Body of Christ, we are called to lift their arms through prayer, encouragement, and unwavering solidarity during these critical times.

    Our spiritual leaders are more than preachers—they are beacons of hope and agents of change, guiding us toward God’s truth and love. Like mighty oaks planted by God, they are graced with wisdom and strength to nurture our souls and lead us in our spiritual journeys. Just as Moses led his people from bondage, these modern-day shepherds guide us from darkness into light. Through their teachings and steadfast faith, they help us experience the transformative power of God’s love, inspiring us to love others as Christ loves us.

    In times of unrest, leaders are called to be agents of healing and reconciliation, standing in the gap for justice, repentance, and peace. Our role is to support them with fervent prayer, intercession, and faith, covering them and their families in God’s love and protection.

    Let us uplift their hands as they carry out God’s work, standing beside them as they demonstrate love, forgiveness, and compassion to a hurting world. In this season of uncertainty, may we help them fulfill their divine calling with grace, wisdom, and unyielding commitment to the path God has set before them.

    Heavenly Father,
    We thank You for the spiritual leaders You have placed in our lives. Strengthen them as they guide us with wisdom, love, and courage. Like Aaron and Hur supported Moses, may we uphold them in prayer and encouragement. Grant them resilience to endure challenges, grace to show compassion, and boldness to speak Your truth in love. Surround them and their families with Your peace and protection, that they may continue to fulfill their calling with unwavering devotion. In the name of Jesus’, we pray. Amen.

  • Re-evaluating My Disconnect from God

    When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken. (Ps. 34:17-20)

    It’s easy to get caught up in the motions of religious activities without truly connecting with
    our faith. In my own spiritual journey, I realized that simply going through the motions wasn’t enough. After a period where my relationship with God took a back seat, I came to
    understand that true devotion requires more than just surface-level involvement.
    Following the loss of my husband, I found myself going through the motions of serving in various church roles without truly nurturing my connection with God. It took a wake-up call from the Holy Spirit to show me that I had lost sight of what truly mattered.

    My actions were driven by routine rather than genuine faith. Through reflection and guidance from the Holy
    Spirit, I came to understand that surrendering fully to God was essential for deepening my spiritual journey. Merely attending church services, being in the choir, praise team and even ushering, wasn’t sufficient; I needed to prioritize intimate moments with Him outside those walls.

    By neglecting prayer and personal communion with God, I was hindering my ability to fulfill His purpose for me.
    Recognizing this disconnect was a pivotal moment for me. It prompted me to reevaluate my
    priorities and commit myself wholeheartedly to fostering a genuine relationship with God.
    Only by investing in this intimate connection could I hope to live out His will and be an effective vessel for spreading His love and grace.

    Abba Father,
    You are the Lord of all creation, holy and mighty. As I step forward on this spiritual journey, I am reminded that my life must reflect the faith I profess. Grant me the wisdom to live out Your teachings and the strength to let my actions speak louder than words.

    May I walk in the authority of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who lived fully surrendered to Your will. Holy Spirit, empower me for the work You have set before me. Let my life glorify You as I seek to bring Your kingdom to earth.

    Draw me into deep communion with You, Lord, and let Your love, joy, and peace fill my heart. Teach me to shine Your light so brightly that others are drawn to Your presence within me.

    Thank You for Your steadfast faithfulness and unfailing love. I trust in You as You prepare me for the extraordinary purpose You have called me to. I surrender everything into Your hands, in the precious name of Jesus. Amen.

  • His Plans or Yours?

    Dear Abba,

    I come before You with a heart full of gratitude for Your love, grace, and faithfulness. Thank You for guiding my steps and for the purpose You have placed within me to always help those in need. Lord, I surrender my plans to You, knowing that Your ways are higher and Your timing is perfect.

    Give me the wisdom to discern Your will and the courage to follow wherever You lead. Strengthen me in moments of doubt and remind me that You are always with me. Help me to walk in love, humility, and obedience, reflecting Your light to those around me.

    Father, I lift up my family, friends, and community to You. Bless them, protect them, and meet their every need. Use me as a vessel to bring hope and encouragement to others.

    Thank You for the gift of life and the opportunities You provide to grow closer to You each day. May all I do bring glory to Your name.

    In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

  • Do What Is Right

    Heavenly Father,

    We come before You, seeking courage and wisdom to stand for what is right, even in the face of challenge and controversy. Lord, help us to resist the voices of fear, vanity, and expediency and instead listen to the call of conscience that aligns with Your truth. Grant us discernment to make decisions that honor You, integrity to uphold righteousness in our workplaces, and boldness to act justly, even when it’s difficult.

    Remind us, Lord, that our ultimate measure is not found in convenience but in steadfastness during trials. May we be a reflection of Your light and love, standing firm in faith and unwavering in purpose.

    In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

  • Waiting On God’s Timing

    Waiting on God’s timing felt like an insurmountable challenge throughout my journey. I had always been a woman of faith, but in this particular season, my faith was put to the ultimate test.

    My journey began with a choice, a decision to enter into marriage without seeking God’s guidance or pastoral counsel. At the time, I was over fifty, confident that I knew my heart and what was best for me. I believed I was ready for love again, but I soon discovered just how much I needed God’s wisdom.The marriage, while filled with moments of hope, became a place of not physical, but emotional turmoil. My husband carried deep wounds from his past, scars that I had not fully understood when I said, “I do.”

    Over time, those wounds manifested as anger, frustration, and emotional distance. I found myself crying out to God, asking, “Lord, where are You? Why aren’t You answering me?” In my frustration, my instinct was to leave, to run away from the pain and uncertainty, as I did with a previous marriage, but the Holy Spirit whispered something different to my heart: “Stay. Wait on Me.” Hearing these words was one of the hardest things I’ve ever experienced, let alone obeying them. Yet deep within, I knew they were undeniably from God.

    With reluctance, I chose to stay. With trembling hands and a heart burdened with weariness, my prayers began to change. I stopped asking God to fix my husband or alter my circumstances. Instead, I cried out, “Lord, teach me patience. Teach me to love him as You love him.” In His infinite mercy, God responded, working not just in my situation, but in me.

    This is not to suggest that staying is the right choice for everyone facing similar challenges. Abuse is a deeply personal and painful experience, and each person must seek God’s guidance to discern whether to stay or to leave. My hope is that you will listen closely for His voice and find peace in following the path He reveals to you.

    He began to open my eyes to my husband’s struggles, revealing the pain he carried from years of rejection and betrayal. I saw that his actions, though hurtful, were not about me, they were the result of a heart in need of healing. God softened my heart, showing me how to extend grace and love in the midst of the hurt. Through His Word, I learned what unconditional love truly meant.

    As I waited on God, something miraculous began to happen. Slowly but surely, I saw changes in my husband. His heart softened, his actions became gentler, and his spirit began to open to the love of God. This wasn’t a quick or easy process. There were days when I felt like giving up, but the Holy Spirit reminded me that my husband was God’s assignment to me, a sacred calling to stand in the gap for him spiritually.The greatest lesson I learned during this time was that waiting on God’s timing isn’t passive, it’s active. It’s praying, surrendering, trusting, and believing that God is working, even when you can’t see it. It’s holding onto His promises and allowing Him to transform you in the process.

    In the final season of my husband’s life, when he was in hospice care, God gave me a moment I will never forget. As I sat by his side, he reached out, gently cupped my face in his hands, and said, “Thank you for being my angel.” Tears filled my eyes as I realized that God had used me to show him His love.Waiting on God’s timing was not easy, but it was worth every tear, every prayer, and every moment of surrender. Through this journey, I saw my husband come to know the true meaning of God’s love before he stepped into eternity. And for that, I give God all the glory.

    If you find yourself in a season of waiting, hold fast to the promise of Psalm 27:14. “Wait on the Lord: Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.” His timing is perfect, and the purpose He has for you is greater than anything you could ever imagine.

  • How Excellent Is Your Name!

    A Prayer Declaring the Greatness of Our God

    O Sovereign Lord,
    We come before You in reverence, with hearts full of awe and wonder. You alone are God, eternal and unchanging, the Creator of the heavens and the earth. The works of Your hands proclaim Your glory, and the skies declare the majesty of Your name.

    You are the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. Before time began, You were there, and when time ceases, You will still reign in splendor. No one compares to You, O Lord, for You are high and lifted up, clothed in majesty and strength.

    Your wisdom is unsearchable, and Your understanding is beyond measure. You hold the universe together by the power of Your word, and yet You know us by name. Who is like You, O God? You rule in righteousness and judge with truth. Your mercy is everlasting, and Your faithfulness reaches to the skies.

    We declare Your greatness today, Lord, for You are holy and mighty. Your love is steadfast, and Your grace is more than sufficient. You heal the brokenhearted and bind up their wounds. You give strength to the weary and hope to the hopeless.

    Father, we exalt Your name above all names. You are Jehovah Jireh, our Provider; Jehovah Rapha, our Healer; Jehovah Shalom, our Peace. In every situation, You are our refuge and fortress, our ever-present help in trouble.

    All power and authority belong to You, O God. The nations bow before You, and every tongue will confess that You are Lord. We surrender to Your will and give You all the glory, for You are worthy of all our praise.

    May our lives be a reflection of Your greatness, and may our lips forever declare Your praise. Be glorified in us, through us, and around us, now and forevermore.

    In the matchless name of Jesus,
    Amen.

  • Heaven or Hell?

    Hebrews 12:10

    For our earthly fathers disciplined us for only a short time as seemed best to them; but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness.

    Becoming one with God is a profound journey that requires our complete devotion to the cause of Christ. It entails aligning our desires with His, embracing what He loves, and detesting what He hates. Our lives are not ours to live selfishly but are dedicated wholeheartedly to Him. What is truly remarkable about the Lord is His graciousness in granting us the freedom to choose between living a life of holiness for Him or succumbing to the temptations of the world. He extends an invitation rather than imposing His will upon us, allowing us the autonomy to decide whether we want to be part of His divine kingdom.

    Each day presents an opportunity for us to implore the Holy Spirit to cleanse and purify our hearts, as stated in James 4:8. Walking in accordance with worldly desires will never satisfy God (Romans 8:7-9). Instead, through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, we can strive towards reflecting God’s image more faithfully each day (1 Peter 1:14-16).

    As we navigate through life’s challenges and distractions, let us commit ourselves daily to embodying the beauty of His holiness with righteousness and integrity at our core. Let this be our heartfelt pursuit, a journey towards becoming more like Him in every aspect of our lives.

    Prayer

    Father, every day presents us with choices, some leading us closer to the beauty of Your Holiness, while others veering us away. It is through the guidance of the Holy Spirit that we can consecrate our hearts and align our lives with Your divine will. By releasing our worldly desires and embracing righteousness with integrity, we pave the way for a life that reflects Your glory alone.

    Through purity of heart and a commitment to holiness, we prepare ourselves for the work in Your kingdom. May we humbly surrender to Your will, forsaking our own desires, and walk each day in the radiant beauty of Your Holiness. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen. 

  • God Is Sovereign!

    We are living in troubling times. In Isaiah 48, God addresses the people of Israel, who claim allegiance to Him but do not act in truth or righteousness. He reminds them of their stubbornness and how He has declared future events in advance to demonstrate His sovereignty. There is nothing new under the sun, because the same holds true for us today.

    Sovereign Lord,

    We come before You with hearts full of awe and reverence, for there is no one like You. Your Word declares in Isaiah 46:9, “I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me.” You alone are holy, righteous, and sovereign over all creation.

    Lord, we thank You that Your Word stands forever, as You promised in Isaiah 40:8: “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God endures forever.” In a world that is ever-changing, You remain constant. Your promises are sure, Your faithfulness is unshaken, and Your love endures for all generations.

    Father, we confess that we, like Israel, have often been stubborn and slow to trust You fully. Yet, Your Word reminds us in Isaiah 48:9, “For my own name’s sake I delay my wrath; for the sake of my praise I hold it back from you.” Thank You for Your patience and mercy, for refining us and not forsaking us despite our shortcomings.

    Teach us, Lord, to walk in obedience to Your Word, for You say in Isaiah 48:17, “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.” Help us to trust in Your wisdom and follow Your guidance, knowing that it leads to peace and blessings.

    Lord, we proclaim as in Jeremiah 10:6, “No one is like you, Lord; you are great, and your name is mighty in power.” You are the Rock on which we stand, the refuge we run to, and the God who never fails. Strengthen our faith and help us to rest in Your promises, knowing that they will come to pass.

    We declare that You are our Redeemer, and we will proclaim Your greatness. Let our lives be a testimony to Your unchanging Word and unfailing love. We trust You, Lord, and we give You all the glory, honor, and praise, now and forever.

    In Jesus’ mighty name,
    Amen.

  • Loving the Unlovable

    Abba Father,

    Thank You for Your boundless mercy and grace, which You freely give to us even when we fall short. You love us unconditionally, and You call us to reflect that same love to others, even to those who hurt or oppose us.

    Lord, help us to love as You love. Teach us to extend mercy to those who persecute us, to forgive as You have forgiven us, and to show kindness even when it’s undeserved. Soften our hearts and remove any bitterness or resentment that hinders us from walking in obedience to Your Word.

    Father, give us the strength to pray for those who have wronged us, to seek their good, and to trust that You are working in their hearts just as You are in ours. May our actions and attitudes point them to Your transforming love.

    As Your Word reminds us: “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Let this truth inspire us to love others sacrificially, just as You have loved us.

    We surrender our pain and our pride to You, knowing that You are the ultimate judge and healer. Fill us with the Holy Spirit so we may reflect Your light in a world filled with darkness.

    Thank You for the privilege of demonstrating Your kingdom values and for the promise of Your mercy to those who show mercy. Let our lives glorify You and draw others closer to Your grace.

    In Jesus’ name, we pray,
    Amen.

  • Holy Spirit My Helper

    My Testimony – Chapter 2

    As I continued on this journey, I learned how distractions had prevented me from hearing God clearly and fully walking in His purposes for my life. The Holy Spirit gently revealed that I needed to fix my eyes on Him rather than being consumed by the chaos around me. This was a profound realization for me because I had been weighed down by my husband’s transition home, the challenges my child was facing that included an abusive relationship, struggles with drugs and alcohol, legal issues, and even time spent in jail. The constant flood of bad news from CNN and the overwhelming cares of daily life also served as distractions that pulled me away from the peace and guidance of God.

    During this time of intimacy, I dedicated myself to prayer, fasting, and journaling, creating space to hear the Holy Spirit more clearly. Through these practices, the Holy Spirit taught me how to depend on His guidance and recognize His voice. He reminded me of the truth in Isaiah 30:21: “Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left.” This scripture became a lifeline, reminding me that God’s guidance is always present, even in the midst of confusion.

    By surrendering these distractions and choosing to walk in step with Him, I began to experience clarity, peace, and the unfolding of God’s plans for my life. The Holy Spirit became my Helper, gently leading me and teaching me to trust His wisdom above all else.

    Prayer

    Father, You are worthy of all praise, honor, and glory. Thank You for sending the Holy Spirit, our Helper and Comforter, to guide us into all truth and to bring to remembrance everything You have spoken, as You promised in John 14:26. Lord, I thank You for Your unending love and grace that sustain me every day. I praise You for the gift of Your Spirit, who dwells within me to lead, correct, and empower me.

    Holy Spirit, forgive me for the times I have allowed distractions to drown out Your voice and have filled my mind with the world’s ways instead of Your truth. Teach me, Holy Spirit, to set my eyes upon the Father and His Word so I can align my steps with His divine will. I desire to walk in obedience, gaining revelation, knowledge, and understanding of the Father’s perfect plan for my life.

    Thank you, Holy Spirit, for purifying my heart. Transform me so that everything I do brings glory to the Father. You are the precious gift given freely to me through Christ, and I thank You for Your presence in my life. Teach me to follow Your direction, to love as You love, and to live in a way that reflects the heart of Jesus. In His precious name I pray, Amen.