The Promise of New Life in Christ

I believe that people have to be at a particular place in their lives to respond to the call of Christ in their lives. We must be open, ready and willing to let go of everything we think we already know about ourselves and about God. Often it seems this readiness occurs at the most challenging times of life, when everything we have tried on our own has failed, where else can we turn but to God? But while we may hear God's calling at that time, or feel the desire to commit our lives, we have to be prepared to keep that committment after a crisis has passed.


Dear God, we make so many promises in our lives, and then we let our promises fall away. We promise our parents, our spouse, our children, our friends, but when its time to act on our promises, we find we lack the strength to follow through. We make promises to each other, and we do not live up to those promises. We make promises to you, and we fall short of our best intentions. Help us to know, dear God, that to make the promise is only the beginning of our life in you. Help us look to you to give us the strength to keep our promises. Show us that your grace will strengthen our weak will, and enable us to be our best selves, made in your image.

We lift up these, our brothers and sisters in Christ, who have asked for your blessing: For Sandra as she continues her walk in Jesus, and her children to forgive her broken promises so they can begin a new life together; for April to be reconciled in Christ to her mother and daughter so that she may continue her work for Christ with renewed spirit; for Felipe to be relieved of the burden of worry and anxiety, come into his heart and change his life; for Dora and her familly, especially her three children, enable her to be reunited with them soon and to renew her promises to them; for Zelma who longs to feel your nearness to her, open her heart to receive your grace and peace; for Katrina, who asks for understanding and guidance, give her the words she needs to reconcile with her mother; and for Wilma, her family and friends, and for her to find the way to life in you. We pray for Tracy Carrizales, Eric Gomes and Edwin M. Matherly, and for Michele Ranel to keep her promises to you when she returns home. We pray for Audrey Sparks, to find the faith she needs for each day, and we pray for Amy Baudien and her family, and for Stephen Shane Smith. We lift up Felishia Crump, and share her prayer for all the others at the Taylor County Jail in Abilene, TX. We pray for Denise Rodriguez and for her mother, Louisa Perez for healing and strength; for Cherie Ellzey Houge Schobel and her family; We lift up Brenda Flores, and her mother Pauline Bustos, daughters Kimberlee and Barbie, and her son Bobby. We pray for Brian Hicks, his children Kayla and Lee, and his mother Dorothy, and his wife Kimberly, help them remember and renew their promises to each other and to you. We lift up Tammy Thompson, and we ask your blessings be poured out like water on her, as she renews her strength in you. We also pray for Markee Richardson and Fonesha Thompson who seek to grow in their knowledge of your will.

You have promised new life to all who believe. Please, we believe, help our unbelief! You know what is in our hearts, dear God. You are a loving and just God, please judge us on our heart's desire, on our best intentions, and not on our human weakness. Your promises are real, your love is alive! Let us live in the light of your promises forever in the name of Jesus. Amen.

God's plans for us.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not calamity, to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:11

Wherever we are in life, this scripture provides an assurance of God's care for our lives. I know right now, within my family, I feel a great deal of anxiety for my son, who is getting married on Saturday. Is he ready? Does he have a clue what they are getting themselves into? Can they get along on their own? I say the answer to all of these questions is clearly "NO!" But then I read this scripture, and I know that they are not going to be on their own, because God will be with them, and if they submit their lives to God's will, no matter what circumstances occur in their lives, God will protect and provide. I think the hardest part of that whole promise is learning to submit to God's plans for us. We spend all our time and energy making plans, and then don't understand when things don't happen as we expected. If instead we spend more time in prayer, seeking God's plans for our lives, and invested more of ourselves in trusting in God's power and goodness to guide our lives, our future is indeed full of hope. (Thanks to Mrs. Elizabeth Phipps for bringing this scripture to mind, and sharing her own inspirational story of faith.)

Divine parent, you created us in your own image. We thank you for allowing us to share in the creative process of parenthood. We give thanks for our sons and daughters, and we offer them back to you in a spirit of sacrifice and love. We know that they belong to you, and are only given to us for a time. As we see them an the verge of adulthood, please give us the peace of knowledge that you continue to work in their lives for good, and may our efforts toward teaching them to know you come into full bloom and bear fruit in their lives.

We pray also for all parents who are separated from their families. Give them comfort and provide them with the strength to maintain their family ties even through the challenges of separation. And we pray for all the extended families and foster families, who in times of need, have been called upon to step in and provide care and support for your children. Strengthen and support them with your love. Help them nurture your children in love, and show us as your people how to serve them.

We lift up the following to you by name, who have asked for prayer: Mary Guerrere Thompson and her husband Earl and her children Gabriel, Lela and Jason; Vanessa Medlin and her sister Kathy Landers who are still feeling the loss of their mother; Karietta Washington and her sister Joricelle Sylvain; Karen Monk; Sunshine Wise; Jeremy Cawthon and his family; Hayman L. Lee; Debra Price, her children, and for Sue Molokwu who is caring for her children; William P. Smith; Ms. Sarah Morris; Victor M. Padilla; for Brett Travis Cichon; Stacy Clark; Fredda Merriman and her daughters, Gina and Mandy, and her mother Johnnie, and her sister; for Lisa Woods who request that your plan for her life will become clear, and that she have patience to deal with her situation; Melanie Anderson and her family; Lana Cornelius and her family; Ronnie E. Stobaugh asks for help in finding employment upon release; for Kim Stills and her children, Kayla and Kevin, and her family; Lynn Foster and her family. These are but a few of the thousands of our brothers and sisters who are in need of your mercy. Please be in their hearts from the rising of the sun to the end of each day. Help them with the peace that only you can bring, and as they open their lives to you and your grace, fill them with your love.

We give thanks for this ministry, and for everyone who has participated in it. We praise you for the opportunity to touch so many lives with your good news, and we ask your continued direction. Today especially we ask your healing mercies for Maryann, as she recovers from her surgery. Strengthen and renew her in service to you. We pray for these, and all your children, and we seek your will for all our lives. Through Jesus Christ we pray, Amen.

Daily Prayer

We give thanks to you, dear God, for the peace that comes with daily prayer. You have given us signs and affirmations, and have promised to hear us when we pray. We know that you see even the tiniest bird that falls to the ground, and that you see us in our times of need. We offer you our hearts, help us prepare them to be worthy for your dwelling place within us. Focus our sight in your direction, remove from our path the stumbling blocks that will keep us from you, and hold our hands when the way becomes steep. We are seeking to serve you, our God, show us the way.

Today we lift up the following persons to you: Linda Owens of Graham NC, Viola Jarvis in Baton Rouge, LA, Shelia Lowery in Lumberton NC, Arthur Kelly in Tennessee Colony, TX, Bryan A. Stevens in Winnfield, LA, Crystal McNutt in Abilene, TX, Mary Thacker in Pee Wee Valley, KY, Mark Honnocks in Huntsville, TX, Moises Azanon and his family, Marlene, Jasmine, Fabustino and Moises Jr. You have a plan for each of them and they are your own children. Place your mark upon their hearts and stay with them through all hardship. Lift them up, protect them and create in them the will to live for you. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Praise be to God, Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer!

The shaking ground of life lies above the firm rock of our faith. Our feet may walk in hope, for the eternal God holds our hand. This is the God we believe in, the God who holds our hand when the world seems like an unstable place to live, the God who created the foundations of the earth, who knows when we stumble and is there to lift us up! Praise be to the God of every time and place, our Creator, Sustainer and Redeemer!

We pray for Mark Malone to find a caring half-way house to support him in his return to society. We pray for Tim McQueary. We ask for patience and peace for Laurie Sheridan as she seeks reconciliation with her husband and son. We pray for Jessica Peterson, to give her vision to find the path to restoration of her relationship with her mother. We lift the names of Edna Hunter and Amanda Green, Zoraida Miranda, Meya Akin, Redessa Hull, Cecilia Viera, Chriss Culliver, Lawana McCall, and Latina Ransom, and we call to mind all the women in prison. Help them rebuild their lives on the solid rock of Christ, and prepare their hearts and minds to be in community with believers to shine the light of your love through their lives. We give thanks for their witness in our lives, and we pray in name of our loving savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

God within our hearts, God in the world

God, you are here within our hearts, and you know our desperate fears and anguished hopes. You know the humiliation we feel, and you know the denial and disassociation we hide in. You know the wrongs we have done, and the good we have left undone. You see us for who we are, and yet you love us passionately and unconditionally. Today, let us rejoice in your love for us, even when we feel we don't deserve it, even if we've been told we don't measure up, even though we know we are unworthy. We admit our unworthiness, but we accept your redeeming love in spite of it. We claim our relationship with you, and we give our deepest thanks and praise that you have claimed us as your own children.

We lift up your child Lisa Marie Pallotta in Coleman FL, and Tracy Garrizales in Jacksboro TX. For Ronda Richesin in Weatherford TX and her children, for Debbie Martinez and her children Jimmy Jr., Jeremy, Tommy, Moses, Troy, and Marina. We pray for Guadalupe Gonzales, Krisann Trevino and Jimmy L. Trevino, Sherry MCCormick in Dallas, Sylvia Ramirez, Modesta Mijerina, Irma Garcia-Aguilar, Shannon Reeves and all the women in Plane State and their families. Protect and guide Linda Crabtree on her release, help her find her path to life in you. You know each of us intimately, reside in our hearts and let your light guide us in your way.

God, you are at work in the world, wherever your children are hurting. We ask your healing blessings for Brother Frank Constantino who does your work in the world. Protect and heal him, and inspire the nurses and doctors with your power and love. For him, and for all who work in ministry to bring your love to prisoners everywhere, we ask your protection and your peace. We lift these prayers in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and savior. Amen.

Spirit-filled Life

Galatians 5:16-24
16So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.

19The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.

Life lessons from Paul to the early church have just as much meaning to us today. When I look back over my own ups and downs, I can see that all the times I was laid really low can be attributed to what Paul names "The acts of the sinful nature." Even good times can go bad in a hurry, when one is living only for themself. But we can endure almost any circumstance if we are in the Spirit, and we allow the Spirit to reside in us. In order for the Spirit to reside in us, we have to make some room. That means getting rid of the selfish nature, letting go of ego and control, and opening up to the Spirit to take control. A lot of people write to us asking for prayer so that they can maintain their faith when they go back to their normal day to day. Paul teaches us that it is the Spirit who will give us the fruits we need to live our faith wherever we are. Praise God for these gifts!


Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be thy name. Please help each of us truly come to understand and embrace the Spirit-filled life you have made available to us all. Help us to let go of our selfish nature, and welcome the Spirit into our lives. Let us feel the saving power that will sustain us through this day and every circumstance we may face.

We lift up your children who ask specifically for our prayers, and we know you are with them and hear their every whispered prayer. We pray for Diretha Parish who seeks to know you better, and for those family and friends who love and support her in her time of need. For Pete Gonzales and Charles Sutton, for Aleta Seaton and her prayer circle at Dawson State Jail, for Heather Robinson in KCIW in Pee Wee Valley, KY, for Linda and Cleatho Roberson, and all the women at the Dallas County Jail, today we lift the names of Lesa Ann Davis, Karen Neugent, Celeste Boden and Deana Lynn Banister.

Today we pray for everyone who is coming in or going out, that the Spirit will enable them to find their way, and to feel your presence in their lives. Fill us all with your Spirit, and help us today and everyday to grow in your grace, and to live in the fruits of the Spirit. It is in the Name of Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior that we pray. Amen.

Prayer Requests for the week

Please lift up in prayer the following individuals, children of God, in need of our care and concern: Linda McClellan, for strength and health, Annie Gant and all the women at Dallas County Jail, Vicky Moore Hammonds, Randy S. Perrie, Jason E. Perrish, Janet Moore, Bety Stegemoller, Beverly Stewardson, Nena Shoemaker and her new baby and family, Paula Milton, Melissa Steele, Terrence Throw, Dorothy Stewart, Kathy L. Griffin.

To My Dearest Lord
Submitted by Jackie C. Brooks, Brush Correctional Facility

My dearest Lord I wait for you.
There are times where I know not what to do.
Then I pray at bed at night,
I pray that you will help me make it right.
I know that gift can only come from above,
The one that can only show true guidance and love.

Glorious is the Holy Spirit that shows the Lord is near.
How wonderfully grateful I am to know that I need not to have fear.
My lonely pathway in search for wonderous love
is like a soaring eagle or even a lost dove.

Tests and crimes in rugged times how would I, the prisoner, know?
Because you are there and I'm in prayer and you will help me grow.
I have faith, I have strength, I would like you to see
that you are my Father and I am your daughter and you are the only one for me.

Amen.