"Offer it up!"

Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

What a precious treasure is here in this scripture message! It is an especially important message for those who, like me, tend to carry around a little knotty ball of anxiety in the pit of our stomach all the time. Even when things are going okay, the troll under my emotional bridge keeps reminding me that sooner or later, things are bound to get all fouled up again... and the spiral of worry, anxiety, and depression takes control. When I was a child, I remember my mother used to say, "Offer it up!" But I didn't understand what that meant. I thought that meant just suffer through, and through the suffering you will learn to be "like Christ." So I just wound the little anxiety ball tighter and tighter and tighter. But what she really meant, and what I finally think I am learning, is to offer up the worries in prayer. And then let them go, really give it to God. When anxiety seems to be overtaking our lives, if we can just stop, remember the promises in this verse, and let God have control of our lives, the worries of the world hold no power over us. The leap of faith required to do this is to know that God cares, and in God's love we must release our cares and concerns, and let the worry ball start to unravel and begin really living in the peace "that transcends all understanding" that is our promise. That's what I'm talkin' about!

Precious Jesus, you took the sins of the world to the cross, and you gave us new life through your death and resurrection. So why do we sometimes have such a hard time letting things go? Why do we keep on making the same mistakes and dumb choices, living in pain when we could be living in your peace instead? Help us overcome old ways of thinking and acting, help us see beyond our childish understanding so we may grow into mature followers of your way, help us to really understand the promises you have made to humankind, and give us the courage to believe with our whole being!

We lift up Garry Lewis Simmons, Albert Cornelius, Michael Seay, Michelle Bond and her children, Candice Gilmore and her sons, Shannon Kendrick and her family, Tabitha Carter and her daughter, Barbara Hobbs, her husband and son, Ollie Clark and her children, Lashonela Mathis, her children and family. Nurture them in your great love, provide for their needs and guide them in your way to peace beyond our understanding, we ask in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

"Pray for our prayer circle and our Holy Spirit led bible study. Love always, your brother in Christ, Solomon R." Gurney Unit, Tenessee Colony, TX

"My name is Cindy and I'm currently incarcerated at Taylor County Jail and will be for over a year. It is very hard for me to be away from my children and family and my spirit feels as (if) it has been broken. ...Please keep me in your prayers." Cindy B. Abilene, TX

"Please I would like one of those books "A New Day in Christ" if there is any more. Thank you. Pray for me!!" Polly G. Halbert Unit, Burnett TX

"Hello my name is Denise B. I was writing to ask you can you please pray for me and my family of four at home. Can you please send me "A New Day in Christ" devotional calendar. In Jesus name. Amen. Your sisster in Christ, Denise" Henley Unit, Dayton, TX

My Father's House

John 14:2In my Father's house there are many rooms, if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you.



We pray for those who are incarcerated to find comfort and peace, and for their famillies to be protected and guarded from all harm. We pray for those who are being released today, help them find their way to a safe place, lead them on the right paths to find your will for their lives.

We lift up the names of your children who have been made known to us: Ricky Alvardo Mathews, Laura Davenport, Samantha Cuillo and her mother, Shelly Jones, her mother and her children, Mark Kreisler, Destany Ramos and her grandmother and children, Bryan Moore, Nena Shoemaker and her family, Cecelia Clark, Melody Phelps, Joseph L. Bachicha, William J. Pittman and his family and friends, Dora Blanchard and her sons Craig and Andrew, Beatrice Felder and her husband, Shamika Walker and her children, Randy and Ricky Bowman, Franklin Ragsdale, Louise Scott, Karen Thrower Lee, Regina Krickbaum. You know their needs, and in your gracious kindness, you provide for them in abundance.

We give thanks that you are going to prepare a place for us in your Father's house. We so need a place to be, a place to belong! We long for the comfort of a home! Help us trust in your love for us, and let us follow you more closely, so that we are never far from the place you are preparing for us, and help us to know that in your presence, we are home. In Jesus name, we pray.

Psalm 73:21-26 NIV When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you. Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Everpresent God, when we can not see you, we are blinded to your gracious love for us by our own anger and bitterness. Help us to release the venom that poisons our soul, so that we may see you clearly acting in our lives for our benefit. We thank you that you patiently wait for us, you gently hold our hand, you steadily guide us to the right path for our lives.

We pray for Ramona Kennard and her children, Louisa Diaz and her family, for James Johnson to walk upon your promises when he is released, for Patricia Washington to be strengthened to fight against all the evils in the world, for Darryl Wayne Pisey, to serve you faithfully as he seeks to share the good news of the Gospel.

We pray for Loretta Lee, and all the incarcerated victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, who are unable to be with their families in their times of distress, for protection and encouragment for their families to rebuild their lives on the rock of salvation, and to comfort and heal the worries and anxieties and bring peace to their hearts.

We pray for Cynthia Hail and Scott Shaffer, bless their marriage with peace and joy, patience and love. Protect them and guide them in understanding the needs of a Christian family, and strengthen them to provide a safe, loving home to their children.

We pray for Brian Brewster, to renew his spirit and strengthen him for all the challenges he may face. Help him feel your power and forgiveness, and your unconditional love which will empower him to deal with whatever lies ahead. Bring him peace of mind.

We pray for families of prisoners, who must bear heavy financial and emotional burdens because of their loved one's mistakes. Help them find forgiveness in their hearts and strength to bear the burdens that separation brings. Show them the way to love, as you would have us love, and lift up their spirits in their times of distress.

We pray in the name of Jesus Christ your son, who taught and teaches us today.

Blog Update

After a few failed attempts, I have changed the look of the New Day Prayer Circle, updated the format and added a little more information in the sidebar... over there on the left. Hope it works... hope we like it. Its been a ride full of unexpected twists and turns, but here it is for now. I still want to have a fully designed web site someday, but for now, I am happy.

Prayer Requests

Hear our prayers for your children, O Lord:

For Grisselle Morales, and her family, please provide guidance to their walk and protect them from harm.

For Beverly Haddock, her children and family, to be at peace with their situation, to find direction for their lives and to create lasting and suportive relationships to move forward into the future.

For Archie Lewis and Julie Richardson, let your love fill their hearts and remove all obstacles from their path. If it is your will, let them find fulfillment in their relationship and strengthen their love to withstand any trials.

For Vance Jones, please work in his life and take away any anger, hate or fear. Replace them with your abiding and inspiring love. Let his light shine before others that your work for him may be seen and bring others into the light of your presence.

We lift up Darryl Pysey, may he hear your voice above the noise of the world, may he see your face in the faces of all he meets.

Work in the life of Roxanne Norton, to bring about healing and peace, so that she may turn to you in her times of trouble, and you will give her hope.

For these, and all your children, we pray. Help us all to remember that in you, all things will work for the good; keep us from despair. You are our hope and our salvation. Lead us out of the darkness and into the light of your love. In the name of Jesus we pray.

Prayer Requests

Open our eyes, dear Father, to your radical, life-altering love. Open our eyes to the possibilities of life without fear. Take away our self-defeating attitudes, and remind us that we are your children, perfectly and awesomely made in your image. Let us really see your work in the world, and let us believe that your work is meant for us.

We pray for Mary Johnson; let the rest of her life start today. We ask your blessing on Jacquelyn Taylor, let her see your unending love in her life. Protect Karen Lee Thrower; help her stand on your promises and overcome the evil of addiction that has robbed her of so much of her life. Guide Beatrice Felder through the wilderness and out of this trial stronger in her faith, ready to step forward and claim her birthright as a child of God, to be baptized into the community of faith and welcomed and supported by true believers. Renew your servant Robert Nichols, and all his loved ones, help them in their daily efforts to come closer to you. We ask your protection for Shelly Jones, Michael Pearson, Donna Harris, Meagan Shoemake, Jennifer Brasher, Michelle Bond, Candice Gilmore, Atheila Trudi McKeone, Candace Curtis, Tina Robinson, and Sherry Parker. Lift up Rhenea Dawkins, ease her anxiety, release her from slavery to sin and self, create in her a new heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within her.

For these and all of your children, we pray. We hear your calling to serve the “least of these” and so to serve you. Empower and inspire us all to seek an authentic means to serve. In the name of Jesus we offer our selves as our prayer.

Prayer Requests

Mark 11:23-26 (New International Version)
"I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins." But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your sins.

Pray together, pray alone. Pray silently, pray aloud. Pray every day and every night. Pray without ceasing! For God hears every prayer, and answers! Praise and thanksgiving to the loving God who cares deeply for us!

“Will you pray for all of us here at the South Texas I.S.F.? Everyday I see the devil at work around me. He is always causing confusion among us. Every time someone causes an argument or gets into a fight about something I start praying for help, and I ask Jesus to help me send the evil spirit away so we can have peace around us. Your prayers will be a blessing for all of us.” Simon M. Ruiz

Prayer has been requested for: Lloyd D. Rawls, William J. Pitman, Floy Nichols and family, Dana Hill, Caitlin Collins, Esmeralda Miramontes and the women at Plane State, Melissa Toombs, Anthony Ahl, Laura Davenport, Desiree & Crystal Johnson, Eddie Lynn Johnson, and Tommy Johnson, Jennifer Coker and family, Joe Etta Walls and her family, the Base family, the Denny family, Timothy Wonderlin, Oscar Allen, Troy Canady, Donald Goslin, Brenna Kate Hammons, Lisa Hill and her family.


Creator, Redeemer, King, we lift up the cares and concerns of your children, and we know you hear our prayers. Who are we, that you should care for us? We are scared, weak, unappreciative, squanderers of your love. Again we have wandered away from your love, and we have turned to false gods like money, or power, or drugs, or pride. Again and again, these have failed us, because only you are true, and only you can save us. We ask forgiveness for our unfaithfulness, and we humbly beg for your loving mercy to be bestowed once again on our broken hearts. Heal us of our willingness to do wrong, take away our thirst for all that is poison to our souls. Feed us on the milk of your word until we are strong enough for the meat. You know all our secrets; you know all our fears. You see what we want to hide from the world. You alone know us in the deepest depths of our souls. And you love us deeply, with a love that offers to change our lives, if we will truly accept it. Resolve any lingering fears within us, so that we might willingly accept the salvation that you have offered us, through Jesus Christ.