Prayers
Join author and teacher, Melissa McLaughlin to discover the Truthful Grace and spiritual riches of knowing and loving Jesus more through passionate prayer. Learn to anchor and empower your prayers through scripture, as you weave God’s Word into your thoughts, heart and prayers.
Prayer for the New Year
By Melissa McLaughlin Lord Jesus, as I welcome this new year – I welcome You. Come into my heart anew. Wash me, cleanse me, restore me. Holy Spirit, illuminate my soul’s sin-shadowed corners with Your radiant glory. Create in me a clean heart, O God. And renew a right spirit within me. Let this be … Read more
3 Prayers of Repentance
By Melissa McLaughlin The Battle Not again! Months ago, I promised myself and God that I would stick to my new early morning plan. My morning goal is to sit down for prayer and Bible reading before even touching the phone, TV, or computer. That day, I only intended to check the weather, but instead, … Read more
The Power of Short Prayers
By Melissa McLaughlin A Powerful Prayer in Song I woke that morning to a surprise from God. Just as my eyes opened a praise song popped into my head. Blessed be the name of the Lord ~by Don Moen I hadn’t heard this song in years. The music and lyrics echoed in my heart for … Read more
10 Scripture Blessings for Fathers
By Melissa McLaughlin An Umbrella of Love As a young married couple, sadness like a crushing wave swept over us when my father-in-law passed away before our first child was born. My husband described the loss of his dad like an umbrella of love and protection that was abruptly ripped away. When trudging through a … Read more
10 Scripture Blessings for Mothers
By Melissa McLaughlin How do you thank a mother? How do you thank someone who held you, nursed you and cared for you when you could not care for yourself? How do you thank a mother? No mother is ever perfect, of course. But a Godly mother’s love is strong, self-sacrificing and desires the best … Read more
The Resurrection Power of Jesus Christ
By Melissa McLaughlin A Resurrection Miracle I will never forget it. One summer afternoon, my husband and I were resting in the family room when I was startled by the sound of a man screaming. This was not a kid’s scream or the sound of someone joking around, but the sustained, piercing wail of sheer … Read more
Why We Pray for Our Leaders
By Melissa McLaughlin Large and in Charge We’ve all been there at some point. You are the one left in charge. Maybe your role is: At some point in time, we have all been the person in charge. Being called to a position of leadership is humbling, rewarding and exhausting. Why We Pray for Our … Read more
God Sees the Little Things
By Melissa McLaughlin There we were on our mini getaway. The ocean waves rolling in thunderous glory. The sunlight sparkling on the waves. The salty air wisping around us in playful windy puffs. It was our long awaited fall visit to the beach. Well after the seasonal vacation crowds were gone, but while the warmth … Read more
A Call to Fast and Pray – 3 Ways to Fast
By Melissa McLaughlin The first time I participated in a time of prayer and fasting was in high school. In order to raise awareness and raise money to fight world hunger, our church youth group organized a sleepover at the church that included a time of prayer and fasting. This afforded us the opportunity to … Read more
Seeking Racial Justice and Healing in Christ
By Melissa McLaughlin Another gruesome and wicked act of racial injustice carried out in our land. My heart dropped. My stomach sickened. My body heaved with grief. How did we get here, Lord? How can we bring justice, Lord? How can we bring healing, Lord? What is our response? Stealing, Killing, Destroying? Some have chosen … Read more
My Prayer for the World at Such a Time as This
We are living in a time we could never have imagined. The world and its systems have come to a screeching halt. Businesses, schools, churches, activities, travel have all been put on hold. In a matter of weeks, the coronavirus pandemic turned the spotlight on the fragility of our lives. The simple truth of our limited time is exposed, in plain sight, glaringly visible. All of a sudden, we are faced square on with the undeniable truth that we are but human, mere dust of the earth.
With this new, yet longstanding reality taking center stage, may we pray with fresh awareness that only God is God. Truly, our tomorrows on this earth are not promised. Here is my prayer for the world at such a time as this.
Jesus’ Teaching on Prayer – 3 Parables
By Melissa McLaughlin We all love a good story! I have an uncle who can tell a story like nobody’s business. Complete with animated facial expressions, exuberant gestures and winsome voice inflection. The listeners are always captivated and waiting for the punchline at the end. Jesus knew the power of a good story and used … Read more
How Did Jesus Pray? The Model Prayer
By Melissa McLaughlin Close Communication Who is your closest friend? Our closest friends are typically those with whom we share our deepest aches, goofiest moments and most candid thoughts. We rest in their love for us knowing they will enjoy the high points, cry with us in the low points and gently but honestly correct … Read more
3 Prayers of Hope
By Melissa McLaughlin Ever had one of those days? Whether you are taking your first few steps to follow Christ or you have traveled myriad miles in your walk with Him, there are days when it feels we simply cannot take one more step. Days when it seems impossible to put one foot in front … Read more
How to Pray According to God’s Will
By Melissa McLaughlin How do I pray according to God’s will? How do I pray the heart of God? As I ponder these questions, one of my childhood memories comes to mind. I was in second or third grade. Each month, the teacher passed out a form for students to order paperback children’s books. When … Read more
How can we give thanks in all things?
Can we give thanks in all things? Yes, we can always thank God for the circumstances that draw us closer to Him. But sometimes that is the only redeeming element to be found.
If we can’t give thanks to God for all things, how can we give thanks to God IN all things?
Strength in Surrender
Strength in Surrender. The story of Nehemiah is one that grabs my heart every time. From beginning to end, I see a man of strength through surrender. Though surrendered leadership seems an oxymoron, when we are surrendered to the Lord, it becomes our greatest strength. Read the amazing story of Nehemiah and the remnant of Israel rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem after Babylonian captivity. It is God’s miraculous hand moving through people surrendered completely to Him.
Powerful Prayer Tool – Praising Over Pleading
By Melissa McLaughlin Have you ever found yourself in an unexpected, unwanted situation and watched your mind and emotions spiral into a pit of ceaseless churning negativity? Have you ever prayed long and hard for something, only to witness that prayer go unanswered and as a result then began to question God’s goodness or God’s … Read more
When Life Slows You Down – Three Things to Pray
By Melissa McLaughlin When Life Slows You Down Have you ever been driving along the highway, cruising at a nice steady speed, not a care in the world, smooth sailing, commuter’s bliss, when all of a sudden the traffic slows to a crawl and then to a stop? The frustration sets in almost immediately. Looking … Read more
The Joy of Brokenhearted Praise
By Melissa McLaughlin The End of Our Strength We’ve all been there. That moment when the relationship falls apart and the memories are strewn on the floor in millions of shattered glass shards. When the job opportunity disintegrates before our eyes sending dark billowing clouds across our horizon. When the doctor gives the diagnosis you … Read more
Here’s how I’m able to help you
The world can sometimes feel cold and dark. How quickly a day that began in sunshine and warmth can evaporate like mist in the wind. How can you rekindle the embers of your soul and keep your heart glowing? During the darkest times of my life, it was the heart and words of Jesus that … Read more