Prayers

By Melissa McLaughlin   Have you ever felt at a loss for words when praying? You are not alone. I’ve been there, too.   Stress, sickness, or sometimes even the busyness of life can scatter our thoughts or distract our ... read more

By Melissa McLaughlin   Golden rays of afternoon sun fell on the trees, lighting up the fall foliage. The woodlands sported a dazzling array of vivid red, burnt orange, and bright yellow. Crumpled leaves crunched under our feet as we ... read more

By Melissa McLaughlin “Thank you.” Two small words. Common words. Not eloquent or clever. Yet, these simple expressions of gratitude echo long in our hearts and memories. When my husband or children say “thank you” ... read more

My foot pressed steady on the brake. While waiting at the light, my eyes scanned the traffic. Lawn signs and billboards crowded the street like fans at a holiday parade. Election ads echoed between songs on the radio. The tension hovered in the ... read more

He heaved and thrust the shovel into the earth. With a sudden jerk, it lurched from his hands. The landscaper had arrived to plant a new tree in our front yard. Though the lush grass appeared soft on the surface, a few inches below lay the ... read more

I stumbled out of bed, bumbled to the kitchen, and floundered to make the coffee. My eyes strained to focus. My thoughts lumbered like a turtle wading through thick swamp mud. Every movement felt like a heroic effort. Some mornings are ... read more

A Memorable Prayer The words stirred my heart. I had finished leading an online women’s prayer group when the email popped up. An attendee from the session thanked me for leading the group and prayed for me. She asked God to refill me ... read more

Please join me lifting up a prayer for fathers, grandfathers, uncles, and father figures. Let’s remember the godly men who have cared for us. If you are a father this prayer is for you, too. Heavenly Father, Thank you for your ... read more

There she sat. The sunlight floated through the window like a golden sheet enfolding our gray-striped cat. I smiled at our cat’s daily routine. Each day she squeezed into cracks and corners brightened by any available ray of sunshine. On ... read more

Please join me in prayer for mothers, grandmothers, aunts, or mother figures. Let’s remember the godly women who have nurtured us and lift them in prayer today. If you are a mother, this prayer is for you, too. Heavenly Father, thank ... read more

Start Your Day with God With each new dawn, we are given the gift of a day. How will we face the 24 hours ahead? Some days we wake up feeling refreshed, while other days we struggle to put one foot in front of the other. Regardless of our ... read more

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 ... read more