Prayer
Renew your heart with these inspiring articles about Prayer by author and teacher, Melissa McLaughlin~ Truthful Grace. Empower your prayers, ignite your prayers with God’s Word and God’s Spirit.
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 Lord is in This Place
By Melissa McLaughlin Seeing God With Us It was a simple thing. My husband and I paused for a brief rest. The daily grind of laundry, bills, cooking, and errands hemmed us in like hamsters on an exercise wheel. Despite running as hard as possible, the finish line appeared just out of reach. At one … 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 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
Our King is Coming
By Melissa McLaughlin For as long as I can remember, I have loved horses. Horses captivated my mind and heart as a young girl. The swift, strong gallop. The playful, childlike whinny. The glistening coat and flowing mane. I drew pictures of them, read stories about them and dreamed of myself riding these majestic and … 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
Passing By
By Melissa McLaughlin Lord, let me not pass by Let me not pass by without a glance at Your glory Your splendor Your majesty Your golden voice singing, “See what I have made, For joy For wonder For awe For beauty So you can gaze And not pass by My gentle touch Waiting for you … Read more
Refiner’s Fire
By Melissa McLaughlin Burn, O Holy One Burn bright within me Breathe on the embers of my heart Ignite a raging inferno, a consuming fire, a blazing torch That I may love You more That I may shine Your light That I may not grow cold with the dust of ashen faith Let me abandon … 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.
The Time Between Time: Two Extraordinary Moments in God’s Story
Have you ever wondered about the time between time. Two extraordinary moments in God’s story. Two pauses when God is silent. The first is the 400 years between Malachi and the birth of Christ. The second is from the end of Revelation until Christ’s return. And so…here we are. Right here, right now. In the time between time. What does this mean? How should we live?